COURAGE

by Phillip Starr 

 In the study and practice of the martial arts, we should seek not only to learn the various techniques and forms, but to develop the (martial) virtues of a classical warrior. These virtues are all corrective in nature. For instance, wisdom is essential because we are born ignorant and irrational (and it seems that many people strive to remain that way). Benevolence is necessary because we have a tendency towards selfishness. And because we have a natural awareness and fear of our vulnerabilities to pain, injury, and death, we must develop courage. Thus, courage is not to be understood as the absence of fear. Rather, it is, as John Wayne reminded us, “Being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” It is doing the right thing in the face of fear.

The well-known author, Inazo Nitobe, divided courage into two distinct forms; dynamic and static. The dynamic form of courage would be revealed in physical acts of daring on the battlefield while the static form was shown in quieter demonstrations of composure, persistence, and tranquility. Most writers agree on this two-pronged approach to the subject of courage.

Fiori dei Liberi provides one treatment of the active aspect of courage in his writing entitled “Flos Duellatorum” (written in 1410). In the Pisani-Dossi prologue of this treatise is what Liberi calls, “the virtue that makes this art.” It is “audatia”, which is translated as “audacity.” Now, audacity would seem to bear the connotation of crashing over the standards of proper and polite behavior but when properly understood, it is seen as a virtue. As a martial virtue, audacity is defined as overcoming fear to act boldly and decisively in the face of danger, without hesitation.

Thus, we practice to be audacious in training that we may be audacious in combat (whether that combat be physical or not). Proper training requires taking risks and audacity is the form of courage that facilitates swift, decisive action in the face of risks. If there is no risk, there is no audacity and no development of real courage. We have many fine examples of this virtue throughout history; the 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopolye (as depicted in the movie, “300”) who held off a Persian army of two million for several days, thereby providing their brother Greeks the opporunity to defeat the Persian sea forces. We can look at the brave defenders of the Alamo (my great, great, great uncle was one of them) who, outnumbered almost 10 to 1, held off the enemy for 13 days before dying to a man.

Although we may not always be fully prepared for the reality and brutality of self-defense, training to be audacious; training to act or react swift and with daring in response to an attack could well mean the difference between life and death in the real world. I am reminded of a Youtube video in which two armed gunmen attempted to hold up a convenience store. They walked in and ordered everyone to lay down. One older gentleman, however, was carrying a concealed handgun. Without thought of his own survival, he unhesitatingly drew his weapon and opened fire on the thugs. He wounded one of them as they dropped their weapons and fled the scene. They were later arrested. His swift, decisive action probably saved several lives.

The development of audacity may be one of the reasons for practicing freestyle sparring as an important component of our martial arts training. There are many who argue about how realistic such training may be, but maybe one of the most important elements of this exercise is simply getting used to responding to sudden, violent attacks – to fists and feet coming at you at high speed. Virtues are developed through repeated practice and programs that aim at strengthening them usually take place in artificial environments (such as classrooms). It is, I think, one of the most important things that we, as instructors, should gently emphasize and develop within our students; to act quickly and decisively even in the face of fear... to do that which we cannot possibly do.

No one ever said that the life of a warrior would be easy. Or long. But surely it is worthy of our Creator.