Courage is a strength tamed by reason

2023 Author: Katelyn Chandter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:08

What is the meaning of courage in a man's life? What does a man have the right to be afraid of, and what not? In what cases should you resign yourself, and in what cases should you get involved in a fight? The opinion of the priests and the master of hand-to-hand combat.

Men about the main male virtue.

What is the meaning of courage in a man's life? What does a man have the right to be afraid of, and what not? In what cases does he need to humble himself and go aside, and in what cases - to get involved in a fight or battle? These questions were asked to the priests Alexander Novopashin and Konstantin Tatarintsev, as well as to the master of hand-to-hand combat Andrei Kochergin.

Courage is sacrifice

Archpriest Alexander Novopashin, rector of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Novosibirsk, silver medalist of the 2013 World Powerlifting Cup:

- First of all, courage is not impudence, not daring, not the ability to subdue oneself, and not even leadership in some positive sense of the word. Many leaders who, under certain conditions, were able to lead people, in a critical situation turned into cowards and fled without looking back, leaving those who believed in them to the mercy of fate. Courage is sacrifice. Just as true love is always sacrificial, so is courage, therefore it is a part of this love. Courage is a virtue, and virtue is always filled with high spirituality. A man who takes care of his family despite difficulties is a courageous person. A man who stands up for the weak, disadvantaged, despite the consequences, especially if they are unpleasant for him, commits a courageous act. A man who keeps his word in any conditions shows courage. A man who, in spite of everything, overcomes fear, is guided by courage. A man who is ready to lay down his life "for his friends" performs the sacred feat of love and courage. But one should not call a person a coward when fear takes possession of him. Fear is inherent in human nature. This is a kind of defense reaction of the body, which commands: "Stop, do not get involved, run!" There is nothing wrong with being afraid. It is bad when a person is led by fear, when fear begins to urge a person on, makes him his slave. And this is a sinful state, because, according to the Monk John Climacus, fearfulness is an infant disposition in an old vain soul. That is, fear, with which a person cannot and does not want to fight, leads to fearfulness as a skill, which is already a manifestation of vanity.

However, there is also a fear-virtue - the fear of God, when a person, in order not to sin and not to grieve his Creator, checks his every step with his conscience - the voice of God in his heart. This is a saving fear. If there is no fear of God, things are bad: such a person, even if he is fearless in other matters, is reckless, and a person who has lost his mind ruins his immortal soul.

As to how one should act in individual cases: humble oneself or get involved in a fight, I will answer with the words of Saint Philaret: "Abhor the enemies of God, defeat the enemies of the Fatherland, love your enemies." This is how it should be done.

Courage is the first of the virtues, without which all others are impracticable

Andrey Kochergin, master of hand-to-hand fighting, the founder of the style and the ideological inspirer of the Russian school of karate "Koi no Takinobori Ryu":

Andrey Kochergin, master of hand-to-hand combat

- The words "courage" and "man" are the same roots. Apparently, courage is the defining quality for a man, and it is precisely this that is the first of the virtues, without which all others are impracticable!

A man, and indeed any person in general, should not be embraced by shame for the fact that he experiences fear of the Lord. After all, this is nothing but the fear of a person to offend his Beloved Parent with his weakness.

Humble or fight? They humble themselves before God, and submit, losing and being captured. So ask your heart: who and what is in front of you - the will of God or the intrigues of the prince of this world, occurring by God's permission because of your cowardice, weakness and lack of faith. And fight always, having read the Jesus Prayer before that to drive out doubts!

Courage is a strength tamed by reason

Priest Konstantin Tatarintsev, rector of the Church of the Ascension of the Lord outside the Serpukhov Gate:

- Any man must fully comply with his vocation and show courage. Courage is strength tamed by reason. A real man is obliged to stand up to protect the weak, to have nobility and virtue.

All fear, except the fear of God, destroys a person. However, the fear of God gives a person strength and nobility: this is not the feeling that you experience, for example, in front of a poisonous snake, but that state of mind when you are afraid to lose the attention and love of God. Other fear makes a person weak, takes away his strength and makes him a slave to the circumstances that he fears.

An Orthodox Christian needs to understand what humility is. After all, humility is not an amorphous yielding to circumstances, but peace with God. When a warrior, relying on God, runs into the attack and shouts "Hurray!" However, the Lord can allow a person to endure evil until the end of his days and not respond in a visible way to injustice. Therefore, humility is adequate behavior in accordance with the will of God. And the will of God can in one case force you to be an active fighter, and in the other - to go into prayer and endure everything to the end.