--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let us have the courage to defy the…" description: "\"Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/thomas-s-monson-409_approval_let-us-have-the-courage-to-defy-the-cons_324010.png" --- # Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage… ![“Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live…” quote by Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/thomas-s-monson-409_approval_let-us-have-the-courage-to-defy-the-cons_324010.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/thomas-s-monson-409_approval_let-us-have-the-courage-to-defy-the-cons_324010.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/thomas-s-monson-409_approval_let-us-have-the-courage-to-defy-the-cons_324010.png) > “Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.” [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True courage means standing for principle despite opposition, not just facing death, and it earns divine approval and personal dignity. **In simple terms:** Courage is standing up for what’s right, not just bravery in danger. Key Takeaway Act on principle even when unpopular. Themes courage principle integrity faith leadership Mood determined inspired Type ethical motivational When to use this quote - ethical decision‑making - public advocacy - personal integrity - leadership challenges Key Concepts moral fortitude social pressure spiritual reward Questions to Reflect On - What principle will you defend today? - How do you balance courage with wisdom? A Different Perspective Courage can lead to isolation or conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval/) [Attractive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attractive/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compromise/) [Consensus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consensus/) [Consensus Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consensus-courage-1641233/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Courage Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage-compromise-1641232/) [Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coward/) [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Dies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dies/) [Dignity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity/) [Dignity Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity-courage-247575/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Have courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/have-courage/) [Laughing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughing/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-coward-913293/) [Principle Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle-courage-1641234/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [Willingness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willingness/) ## Related quotes > [Of course, we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/of-course-we-will-face-fear-experience-ridicule-and-meet-opposition/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/a-moral-coward-is-one-who-is-afraid-to-do-what-he-thinks-is-right/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“It is impossible to stand upright when one plants his roots in the shifting sands of popular opinion and approval. Needed is the courage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/it-is-impossible-to-stand-upright-when-one-plants-his-roots-in-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God's approval.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/courage-not-compromise-brings-the-smile-of-god-s-approval/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [While President Bush likes to project an image of strength and courage, the real truth is that in the presence of his large financial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/while-president-bush-likes-to-project-an-image-of-strength-and/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [“Take the case of courage. No quality has ever so much addled the brains and tangled the definitions of merely rational sages. Courage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/take-the-case-of-courage-no-quality-has-ever-so-much-addled-the-2/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die. "He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/courage-is-almost-a-contradiction-in-terms-it-means-a-strong-desire-2/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [When all this started, I asked myself, 'Am I going to withdraw from the world, like most people do, or am I going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/when-all-this-started-i-asked-myself-am-i-going-to-withdraw-from-the/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [To age with dignity and with courage cuts close to what it is to be a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-kahn/to-age-with-dignity-and-with-courage-cuts-close-to-what-it-is-to-be-a/) [Roger Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-kahn/) > [Bringing someone up is more than just educating him, it is also and mainly waking him up to the responsibility to grow up, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-malfatti/bringing-someone-up-is-more-than-just-educating-him-it-is-also-and/) [Jean-Paul Malfatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-malfatti/) > [I asked myself, 'Am I going to withdraw from the world, like most people do, or am I going to live?' I decided I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/i-asked-myself-am-i-going-to-withdraw-from-the-world-like-most-people/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [Religion in its humility restores man to his only dignity, the courage to live by grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/religion-in-its-humility-restores-man-to-his-only-dignity-the-courage/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [The world knows of Rosa Parks because of a single, simple act of dignity and courage that struck a lethal blow to the foundations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/the-world-knows-of-rosa-parks-because-of-a-single-simple-act-of/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [“To age with dignity and courage cuts close to what it is to be a man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-age-with-dignity-and-courage-cuts-close-to-what-it-is-to-be-a-man/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are so resilient as a people. I have so much respect for their dignity and courage. I hope the world sees this side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asma-jahangir/we-are-so-resilient-as-a-people-i-have-so-much-respect-for-their/) [Asma Jahangir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asma-jahangir/) ## More by Thomas S. Monson > [I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-know-that-god-loves-us-he-allows-us-to-exercise-our-moral-agency/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Some find it difficult to withstand the mocking and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God’s commands. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/some-find-it-difficult-to-withstand-the-mocking-and-unsavory-remarks/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Choose your love, Love your choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/choose-your-love-love-your-choice/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I ask you to make INSTITUTE a PRIORITY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-ask-you-to-make-institute-a-priority/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Those who grieve frequently find themselves alone. 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Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/born-in-a-stable-cradled-in-a-manger-he-came-forth-from-heaven-to/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“A happy home is but and earlier Heaven.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/a-happy-home-is-but-and-earlier-heaven/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-sends-forth-to-you-an/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [This is my philosophy on all life, not just when it comes to love. All the best things are terrifying, but that's why they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/this-is-my-philosophy-on-all-life-not-just-when-it-comes-to-love-all/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness... We are the Lord’s hands here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-are-surrounded-by-those-in-need-of-our-attention-our-encouragement/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [You have a heritage honor it. You have posses a testimony share it. You will face temptations withstand it. You know the truth live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/you-have-a-heritage-honor-it-you-have-posses-a-testimony-share-it-you/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-learn-and-grow-and-become-stronger-as-we-face-and-survive-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I am certain that the Lord, who notes the fall of a sparrow, looks with compassion upon those who have been called upon to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-am-certain-that-the-lord-who-notes-the-fall-of-a-sparrow-looks-with/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) [Explore all 586 Thomas S. Monson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## More Approval quotes > [Anyone who's read my 'Terror in the Skies' series knows that I have not been writing with an eye toward approval from any government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-jacobsen/anyone-who-s-read-my-terror-in-the-skies-series-knows-that-i-have-not/) [Annie Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-jacobsen/) > [we need not avoid our active lives, but simply bring to them a new vision and shift of gravity. for in the center we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/we-need-not-avoid-our-active-lives-but-simply-bring-to-them-a-new/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [Lean too much on the approval of people, and it becomes a bed of thorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tehyi-hsieh/lean-too-much-on-the-approval-of-people-and-it-becomes-a-bed-of-thorns/) [Tehyi Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tehyi-hsieh/) > [But I always reassure them that as far as my contractual rights can go, I will protect them and make sure that they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/but-i-always-reassure-them-that-as-far-as-my-contractual-rights-can/) [Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/) > [Growing up in that fashion is a breeding ground for insecurity and doubt; it also leaves you questioning motives. It took me a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-runyon/growing-up-in-that-fashion-is-a-breeding-ground-for-insecurity-and/) [Damon Runyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-runyon/) > [A year ago, my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the supreme court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/a-year-ago-my-approval-rating-was-in-the-30s-my-nominee-for-the/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [These days people are mean to people just because they don't like the way they look. No-one should be hated because of their flaws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/these-days-people-are-mean-to-people-just-because-they-don-t-like-the/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I got this emptiness inside that got me fighting for approval because I missed out on my daddy saying, Way to Go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lecrae/i-got-this-emptiness-inside-that-got-me-fighting-for-approval-because/) [Lecrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lecrae/) > [My dad taught me swears when I was a toddler, and I saw, at a really early age, that if I shocked people, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/my-dad-taught-me-swears-when-i-was-a-toddler-and-i-saw-at-a-really/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [Comedy is a very approval-oriented field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-chappelle/comedy-is-a-very-approval-oriented-field/) [Dave Chappelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-chappelle/) > [Whenever you are too worried about someone else's approval, that person loses respect for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-argov/whenever-you-are-too-worried-about-someone-else-s-approval-that/) [Sherry Argov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-argov/) > [Pleasure is Nature's test, her sign of approval.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/pleasure-is-nature-s-test-her-sign-of-approval/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Do you really mean the only reason you try to be good is to gain God's approval and reward? That's not morality, that's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/do-you-really-mean-the-only-reason-you-try-to-be-good-is-to-gain-god/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) [Browse all 904 Approval quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas S. 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