Courage is not Heroism

“The Australian” newspaper has an article about Maria Tumarkin’s book, “Courage”.  In it she contends that courage is a much talked-about trait that few people actually show.  She pays attention to the “small acts of self-denial and self-sacrifice”.  She has no interest in sports players claiming courage or celebrities doing the same.

I read a quote from Keith Miller, the Australian cricket who has been a pilot in World War II.  Excuse the slightly adult language…

“Pressure,” he said.  “I’ll tell you what pressure is.  Pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse.  Playing cricket is not.”

It says a lot about sports players when something like this seems refreshing.