Courage involves an exercise of will in order to achieve goals in the face of internal or external resistance.

Physical courage is defined by overcoming fear of pain or death. Moral courage involves staying true to one’s ethics and beliefs. Psychological courage consists of directly confronting a traumatic situation. All three types of courage are included in this virtue, and all involve acting despite significant risk to the individual.

Character Strengths of Courage:

Bravery

Bravery is the virtue most commonly represented by soldiers during combat situations. It is not a lack of fear, but rather the ability to overcome fear and do what needs to be done at a given moment in time, usually in battle. All of us experience fear at various points throughout our lives, but only some of use manage to overcome intense fear by directly challenging it. Bravery is correlated with heroic actions, such as whistle blowing and risking harm to help another.

Persistence

Persistence is the voluntary continuation of an action taken in pursuit of a goal, despite setback, difficulties, or disappointment. Persistent people generally respond to challenge by digging in and trying harder.

Integrity

Integrity includes authenticity, honesty, values, and ethics. People with a high level of integrity take responsibility for the consequences of their actions and value being true to their feelings, beliefs, and responsibilities.

Vitality

Vitality represents the subjective states of being energized and feeling alive. Vitality takes into account physical, social, and circumstantial factors. Vitality represents an active engagement with the environment, which separates it from happiness and pleasure.

References: Peterson, C., Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Learn about Justice here