Courage
The philosopher Kant held himself to his habits so precisely that people set their watches by him as he took his daily walk. We may be equally constant amid worldly vicissitudes, but only a man of true courage is.
’Tis the front towards life that matters most—
The tone, the point of view,
The constancy that in defeat
Remains untouched and true;
For death in patriot fight may be
Less gallant than a smile,
And high endeavor, to the gods,
Seems in itself worth while!
Florence Earle Coates.
From “Poems.”