Courage is mastery of fear, not absence of fear.

What it means

Twain says calling a creature brave only makes sense if it is part coward. Courage means feeling the fear and acting anyway. You do not need to stop being afraid first.

The source

"Courage is mastery of fear, not absence of fear." Mark Twain said it in Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 12, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar. Written in English: Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894.

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear--not absence of fear."

Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894), Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 12, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Mark Twain (1835–1910). American humorist and novelist. His sharpest one-liners appear as Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar in Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894) and Following the Equator (1897).

Questions

What does "Courage is mastery of fear, not absence of fear." mean?

Twain says calling a creature brave only makes sense if it is part coward. Courage means feeling the fear and acting anyway. You do not need to stop being afraid first.

Who said "Courage is mastery of fear, not absence of fear."?

Mark Twain (1835–1910). Source: Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 12, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.

What is the original wording?

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear--not absence of fear (Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894)). Written in English: Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894.

Is "Courage is mastery of fear, not absence of fear." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Courage is mastery of fear, not absence of fear." (Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 12, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar, trans. Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/courage-is-mastery-of-fear-not-absence-of