Children Quote by Anne Sexton
““Courage It is in the small things we see it. The child's first step, as awesome as an earthquake. The first time you rode a bike, wallowing up the sidewalk. The first spanking when your heart went on a journey all alone. When they called you crybaby or poor or fatty or crazy and made you into an alien, you drank their acid and concealed it. Later, if you faced the death of bombs and bullets you did not do it with a banner, you did it with only a hat to cover your heart. You did not fondle the weakness inside you though it was there. Your courage was a small coal that you kept swallowing. If your buddy saved you and died himself in so doing, then his courage was not courage, it was love; love as simple as shaving soap.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Courage” (published 1970), null
Courage appears in everyday moments and small acts, often hidden within personal struggles and love.
In simple terms: Courage is found in small, everyday actions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and honor tiny acts of bravery.
Themes
courage
love
growth
Mood
introspective
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- childhood milestones
- learning new skills
- facing bullying
- war experiences
- friendship sacrifice
Key Concepts
psychology
human resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- What small act of courage did you overlook?
- How does love transform courage?
A Different Perspective
Courage can be misinterpreted as mere survival; context matters.
