For courage is not bloodshed and destruction of human foundations - that befits wild beasts. Rather, courage lies in victory over self and desire, and triumph over the armies of passion.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Abbas -- AB02729)
Courage
courage
Editorial introduction
Courage, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá insists, is not bloodshed; that belongs to wild beasts. True valour is victory over self and desire and triumph over the armies of passion. He writes to a man named Rustam, after the hero of Persian legend, and asks him to become known for spiritual valour and detachment as his namesake was for strength of arm. A believer is praised as a lion who breaks through the ranks of vain imaginings, and the ancients are recalled for saying that in battle the more steadfast side prevails. Aristotle drew his own line between courage and rashness, and between the brave and those who only wish to seem so [1]. Here courage belongs to the truthful and grows from faith, tested in real ordeals rather than in boasting, and expressed at last in the roar of love and divine knowledge. Such a path leads naturally to confidence, to the inner meaning of spiritual warfare, and to the mystery of sacrifice.
Selected passages
O Rustam! Your namesake became renowned throughout the horizons for physical courage. You must become known throughout the world for spiritual valor and detachment.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Rustam Khursand -- AB09379)
His honor Hazbar is truly a courageous lion who breaks through the ranks of vain imaginings and counts as nothing the multitudes of the common people. Day by day may his spiritual valor, conscientious bravery, divine confirmations and heavenly success increase.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912-Aug-24, to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Nazimul-Hukama -- AB08638)
O champion of Iran and friend of the loved ones! Courage and valor are attributes of the truthful ones and characteristics of the servants of the Threshold - meaning to overcome and subdue the self and passion.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Rustam Iran -- AB11378)
The ancients say that courage consists in steadfastness, and when two armies clash, whichever is more steadfast is more victorious - this is a known truth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Aqa Musa -- AB02565)
Man must possess the religion of God which is the source of all valour, moral and intellectual. If he has not this, he may have at least, the simple "natural religion" of humanity.
But there are an increasing number of men and women who are devoid of either of these two necessary qualities and they always fail in the real test of life. Outwardly they boast of courage but inwardly they lack the backbone to stand the ordeal.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some friends, spoken on 1914-Dec-03 -- ABU3079)
When I leave this world I wish my heart be entirely assured and confident and know that the Blessed Perfection has such servants who will arise to serve His Cause with miraculous Faith and extraordinary courage.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Jul-01 -- ABU3432)
The heedless ones are but a pack of rabbits. Like a lion in the arena of divine knowledge, let forth the roar of lions and display the might of those intoxicated with the wine of God's love.
Make the claw of the love of God into a sword of steel, and with the talon of divine proof as a sharp-cutting dagger, rend asunder the vitals of ignorance and scatter the insistent self. This, O my dear child, is spiritual valor.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Nov-14 or <, to Shirali -- AB10927)
Continue exploring
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- How does the opening account of victory over the self change what we recognize as a courageous act?
- What distinguishes steadfastness from stubbornness, and courage from the wish to appear courageous?
- How might prayer and honest self-examination help us face a situation in which love or truthfulness requires courage?