Courage vs. Bravery — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 24, 2023
Courage is the mental or emotional strength to persevere and withstand difficult situations, often implying thoughtfulness and endurance.
Difference Between Courage and Bravery
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Courage is generally understood as the mental or emotional fortitude that allows an individual to face difficult challenges, fears, or pain. It often involves deliberation, endurance, and the ability to withstand hardship over time. Courage may not necessarily involve immediate physical action but can manifest in various forms, like enduring hardship or taking moral stands.
Bravery, on the other hand, is usually associated with a more immediate, often physical, form of daring or boldness. While courage entails a deeper, more enduring quality that may involve complex decision-making, bravery often results from a spontaneous or instinctive action. Bravery is about taking risks and facing danger, often in the spur of the moment.
While both courage and bravery imply a certain level of fearlessness, they differ in context and depth. Courage often demands a more prolonged exposure to adversity and may involve a complex thought process. It can be a sustained attribute, something that a person demonstrates consistently over time.
Bravery is frequently more momentary, arising in specific situations that require immediate action. The focus is generally on the act itself, not necessarily the thought process leading up to it. It can be a one-time act, like saving someone from a burning building. So, while the two terms are often used interchangeably, they represent different nuances of fearlessness and daring.
Comparison Chart
Focus
Mental or emotional strength
Physical or immediate daring
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Timeframe
Often prolonged
Usually momentary
Thought Process
Involves deliberation
Often instinctive
Context
Varied situations
Specific, immediate situations
Grammar
Noun
Noun
Compare with Definitions
Courage
Long-term endurance
Living with chronic illness takes immense courage.
Bravery
Fearlessness
Her bravery in standing up to her abuser was awe-inspiring.
Courage
Decision-making
It took courage to quit his job and start a new career.
Bravery
Boldness in action
His bravery was evident when he ran into the burning building.
Courage
Emotional strength
She had the courage to face her fears.
Bravery
The condition or quality of being brave; courage.
Courage
Courage (also called bravery or valour) is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Valour is courage or bravery, especially in battle.
Bravery
Splendor or magnificence; show.
Courage
The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery
She called on all her courage to face the ordeal
Bravery
Being brave, courageousness.
Courage
The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.
Bravery
(countable) A brave act.
Courage
The quality of being confident, not afraid or easily intimidated, but without being incautious or inconsiderate.
It takes a lot of courage to be successful in business.
Bravery
Splendor, magnificence.
Courage
The ability to overcome one's fear, do or live things which one finds frightening.
He plucked up the courage to tell her how he felt.
Bravery
The quality of being brave; fearless; intrepidity.
Remember, sir, my liege, . . . The natural bravery of your isle.
Courage
The ability to maintain one's will or intent despite either the experience of fear, frailty, or frustration; or the occurrence of adversity, difficulty, defeat or reversal. Moral fortitude.
Bravery
The act of braving; defiance; bravado.
Reform, then, without bravery or scandal of former times and persons.
Courage
(obsolete) To encourage.
Bravery
Splendor; magnificence; showy appearance; ostentation; fine dress.
With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery.
Like a stately ship . . . With all her bravery on, and tackle trim.
Courage
The heart; spirit; temper; disposition.
So priketh hem nature in here corages.
My lord, cheer up your spirits; our foes are nigh,and this soft courage makes your followers faint.
Bravery
A showy person; a fine gentleman; a beau.
A man that is the bravery of his age.
Courage
Heart; inclination; desire; will.
I'd such a courage to do him good.
Bravery
A quality of spirit that enables you to face danger of pain without showing fear
Courage
That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor; boldness; resolution.
The king-becoming graces . . . Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,I have no relish of them.
Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it.
Bravery
Feeling no fear
Courage
To inspire with courage; to encourage.
Paul writeth unto Timothy . . . to courage him.
Bravery
Immediate daring
The soldier's bravery was commendable during the ambush.
Courage
A quality of spirit that enables you to face danger of pain without showing fear
Bravery
Physical valor
His bravery during the natural disaster saved many lives.
Courage
Moral fortitude
His courage was evident when he stood up to the bullies.
Bravery
Risk-taking
The firefighter's bravery is unquestionable, risking life to save others.
Courage
Overcoming hardship
He showed courage by rebounding after a devastating loss.
Common Curiosities
Can courage involve a thought process?
Yes, courage often involves deliberation and thoughtful decision-making.
Is bravery always physical?
While not always physical, bravery often manifests in immediate, physical actions.
Is courage always moral?
Courage can manifest in moral stands but isn't always related to morality.
What is courage?
Courage is the emotional or mental strength to face difficult situations, fears, or pain.
Is courage long-term?
Often, courage involves prolonged endurance and mental fortitude.
Is bravery momentary?
Bravery is often momentary, arising in specific, immediate situations.
Is bravery always heroic?
Bravery is often seen as heroic, especially in immediate, dangerous situations.
Can courage be taught?
Courage can be nurtured through experiences and mindset.
What is bravery?
Bravery is the boldness or daring to face immediate dangers or challenges.
Can courage be quiet?
Yes, courage can be a quiet, internal strength.
Are courage and bravery the same?
While similar and often used interchangeably, courage and bravery have different nuances.
Is bravery always loud?
Bravery is usually more visible and action-oriented.
Can bravery be instinctive?
Often, bravery is an instinctive reaction to immediate situations.
Can you have courage without bravery?
Yes, you can have courage in enduring situations without immediate daring actions.
Can you have bravery without courage?
You can have momentary bravery without long-term courage.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
