To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes
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Source: To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
"Real courage is [...] when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what."
I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.
Context
Atticus Finch, you sure do know how to drop some knowledge.
To Kill a Mockingbird is brimming with his pithy wisdoms like this one. In this quote, Atticus is explaining to Jem why he made him go to Mrs. Dubose's house and read to her every day. (Answer: she was addicted to morphine and was using his readings as a distraction to slowly wean herself off of the drug.) Despite some of the things she says about him, Atticus respects her for her will to battle the addiction, and, apparently, feels the need to say something wise about it.
Where you've heard it
You'll hear this quote used by Atticus types to define courage sans violence A gun might give someone a boost of courage because of the power or protection it provides, but Atticus knows that real courage comes from tackling the impossible head on.
Unless the impossible is a rabid dog, in which case we'd recommend a gun.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
We hate to give Atticus pretentious points, but you're not Atticus.