“Courage is the only virtue you can't fake”
— Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Simplified Meaning:
Being truly brave means doing something even though you are scared, and you can't pretend to be brave if you really aren't. For example, think of a firefighter running into a burning building to save someone. If the firefighter only pretended to be brave, they wouldn't be able to do their job because the danger is real and requires actual bravery. In everyday life, it might mean standing up for a friend who's being bullied. If you fake confidence but don't actually confront the bully, your friend gets no help. Real courage is about taking real action despite fear. You can pretend to be nice or smart, but true bravery shows only in difficult moments. Applying this to your own life means facing things you're scared of, like speaking up in a meeting or telling the truth even when it's hard. It shows others that you are trustworthy and can handle tough situations honestly and effectively.