--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Courage is very important. Like a muscle…" description: "\"Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.\" — Ruth Gordon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/ruth-gordon-14305_courage_courage-is-very-important-like-a-muscle_2785456.jpg" --- # Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is… ![“Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.” quote by Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/ruth-gordon-14305_courage_courage-is-very-important-like-a-muscle_2785456.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/ruth-gordon-14305_courage_courage-is-very-important-like-a-muscle_2785456.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/ruth-gordon-14305_courage_courage-is-very-important-like-a-muscle_2785456.jpg) > “Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.” [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Courage grows through repeated challenges, like a muscle that strengthens with use. **In simple terms:** Courage builds by using it. Key Takeaway Practice bravery regularly. Themes courage growth resilience Mood determined inspirational Type motivational self‑help When to use this quote - public speaking - career advancement - personal relationships Key Concepts psychology habit formation Questions to Reflect On - How can you safely stretch your comfort zone? - What small act can you repeat daily? A Different Perspective Courage can be exhausted if not balanced with rest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ## Related quotes > [Courage is like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/courage-is-like-a-muscle-it-is-strengthened-by-use/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Belief in ourself is like a muscle - it is strengthened by constant and careful use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-devrye/belief-in-ourself-is-like-a-muscle-it-is-strengthened-by-constant-and/) [Catherine DeVrye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-devrye/) > [Willpower is a muscle that can be strengthened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-baumeister/willpower-is-a-muscle-that-can-be-strengthened/) [Roy Baumeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-baumeister/) > [“Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/courage-is-like-a-muscle-we-strengthen-it-with-use/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/courage-is-like-a-muscle-we-strengthen-it-by-use/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Courage is like a muscle strenghthened by its use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/courage-is-like-a-muscle-strenghthened-by-its-use/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“And we the people are so vulnerable. Our bodies are shot with mortality. Our legs are fear and our arms are time. These chill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/and-we-the-people-are-so-vulnerable-our-bodies-are-shot-with/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [Courage is the most important attribute of a lawyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/courage-is-the-most-important-attribute-of-a-lawyer/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [The only thing is, people have to develop courage. It is most important of all the virtues. Because without courage, you can't practice any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/the-only-thing-is-people-have-to-develop-courage-it-is-most-important/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Courage is more important than to be deceived by shallow victory waiting for a delayed defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/courage-is-more-important-than-to-be-deceived-by-shallow-victory/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you cant practice any other virtue consistently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/courage-is-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-is-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Courage is most important virtue, one is blessed with. It is the courage which makes you stand alone even in storm of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/courage-is-most-important-virtue-one-is-blessed-with-it-is-the/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [“courage was more important than confidence. When you are operating out of courage, you are saying that no matter how you feel about yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ferriss/courage-was-more-important-than-confidence-when-you-are-operating-out/) [Timothy Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ferriss/) ## More by Ruth Gordon > [Anything that begins 'I don't know how to tell you this' is never good news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/anything-that-begins-i-don-t-know-how-to-tell-you-this-is-never-good/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Try something new each day. After all, we're given life to find it out. It doesn't last forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/try-something-new-each-day-after-all-we-re-given-life-to-find-it-out/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [The good that men do lives after them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/the-good-that-men-do-lives-after-them/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [If you're thinking of becoming a critic, why not make other plans?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/if-you-re-thinking-of-becoming-a-critic-why-not-make-other-plans/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Your first big trouble can be a bonanza if you live through it. Get through the first trouble, and you'll probably make it through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/your-first-big-trouble-can-be-a-bonanza-if-you-live-through-it-get/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Never give up. And never, under any circumstances, face the facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/never-give-up-and-never-under-any-circumstances-face-the-facts/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Acting is the use of human experience with talent added.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/acting-is-the-use-of-human-experience-with-talent-added/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [At seventy-four I'm getting minor raves on my looks, but I'm caught in the middle. Who knows what seventy-four looks like? Who cares? But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/at-seventy-four-i-m-getting-minor-raves-on-my-looks-but-i-m-caught-in/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [I'm sure the way to be happy is to live well beyond your means!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/i-m-sure-the-way-to-be-happy-is-to-live-well-beyond-your-means/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Nothing dates one so dreadfully as to think someplace is uptown. At our age one must be watchful of these conversational gray hairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/nothing-dates-one-so-dreadfully-as-to-think-someplace-is-uptown-at/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Despair is your friend in show business. I don't believe you can act if happiness is your lot. It's the ups that keep you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/despair-is-your-friend-in-show-business-i-don-t-believe-you-can-act/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [If I don't make it today, I'll come in tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/if-i-don-t-make-it-today-i-ll-come-in-tomorrow/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [The kiss. There are all sorts ofkisses, lad, from the sticky confection to the kiss of death. Of them all, the kiss of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/the-kiss-there-are-all-sorts-ofkisses-lad-from-the-sticky-confection/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [Why? Because I believe I will. If you believe, then you hang on. If you believe, it means you've got imagination, you don't need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/why-because-i-believe-i-will-if-you-believe-then-you-hang-on-if-you/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [To get it right, be born with luck or else make it. Never give up. A little money helps, but what really gets it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/to-get-it-right-be-born-with-luck-or-else-make-it-never-give-up-a/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) [Explore all 47 Ruth Gordon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) ## More Courage quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) James T. Conway > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/) [Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“There is nothing purer, braver, or more beautiful than the try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-armstrong/there-is-nothing-purer-braver-or-more-beautiful-than-the-try/) Kristen Armstrong > [“One theory on cannibals, of course, is that they eat parts of their slain enemies to benefit from that person's greatest assets - their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-powell/one-theory-on-cannibals-of-course-is-that-they-eat-parts-of-their/) [Julie Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-powell/) > [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I have pictures with Morimoto where I'm all embarrassed and he's so serious, it took me 30 minutes to get up the courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcela-valladolid/i-have-pictures-with-morimoto-where-i-m-all-embarrassed-and-he-s-so/) [Marcela Valladolid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcela-valladolid/) [Browse all 14,559 Courage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Courage is very important. 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