Courage Quote by Anna Quindlen
““Here is my favorite biblical direction: Be not afraid. It's truly the secret of life. Fear is what stunts our growth, narrows our ambitions, kills our dreams. So fear not. ...You are surely afraid: of leaving what you know, of seeking what you want, of taking the wrong path, of failing the right one. But you can't allow any of that to warp your life. You must have the strength to say no to the wrong things and to embrace the right ones, even if you are the only one who seems to know the difference, even if you find the difference hard to calculate. Acts of bravery don't always take place on battle fields. They can take place in your heart, when you have the courage to honor your character, your intellect, your inclinations, and yes, your soul by listening to its clean, clear voice of direction instead of following the muddied messages of a timid world. So carry your courage in an easily accessible place, the way you do your cellphone or your wallet. You may still falter or fail, but you will always know that you pushed hard and aimed high. Take a leap of faith. Fear not. Courage is the ultimate career move.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Courage as the Ultimate Career Move” (op‑ed), 2015
Fear limits growth; embracing courage and saying no to wrong paths leads to personal and professional fulfillment.
In simple terms: Courage overcomes fear.
Choose courage over fear.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- career choices
- personal development
- life transitions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What fear holds you back?
- How can you practice saying no to harmful choices?
Courage alone may not guarantee success without planning.