It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare What does this quote mean?

Answer 1

Physical Courage..Jumping in front of someone to protect them from a bullet. Running into a burning building and rescuing someone else son/daughter from being burn alive. Swimming into a raging water to save someone life. Catching a thief who stolen from someone else.

Don't you notice something in all of these cases? The result of the physcial courage is usually praise and honor for these deeds.

Moral Courage

Challanging an officer/teacher/authority neglected allowing bullying that could potentially cause a soldier/kid/person to commit suicide?Defending a previous bully from getting bully by there victim since its the right thing to do?Refusing to harm someone or go with the crowd and be a hero by beating up the thief.Instead, protecting the thief and trying to give him/her a second chance or at least to the authority.In all these cases,you get boo at.

Scorned by countless people.No fame or honor. Nothing to your name except ridicule most of the time.This is the path of the moral hero.

Have you ever wonder why people praise soldier as heroes now days?They're probably the epitome(if you ignore the benefits) of physical courage to common people.Sacrificing your life and time for your courage.You and your spouse get honored and medals and recognized as 'heroes' for defending your home. Even if you're scorned due to fighting in unpopular war.Most people will still honor your sacrifice.

What about the guys who're fighting to stop senseless(profit-base) war in America. The people who risk there PhD/career to go against America public easily manipulated behavior?They get scorned for being unpatriotic and evil.Monsters who would let the Nazi do what they want.

Who wants to be this guy.No love from your family.No love from your countryman. The only people who support you are the soldiers who have seen the Horror of war.If even that..

Funny isn't it?We respect our physical courageous heroes,but scorned our moral courage heroes.Who're respected(if correct) by our physical courage heroes.

Answer 2

This quote suggests that while people often display physical bravery, such as facing danger or standing up to a physical threat, standing up for one's beliefs or values (moral courage) in the face of social pressure or condemnation is less common. It highlights the challenge of going against the norm or risking social backlash to uphold what one believes is right.