All virtues come down to courage, at the sharp end of the sword. But courage must be tempered by prudence. Courage wasted by misdirection is the most heart-breaking of all tragedies. If there is an eighth deadly sin, it ought to be stupidity, by which all virtues run out into dry sands. Yet...where does prudence end and cowardice begin? That's a very good damn question!

Summary

This quote highlights the significance of courage and the importance of balancing it with prudence. It suggests that all virtues ultimately stem from courage, but being courageous without exercising wisdom can result in wasted potential and tragic outcomes. The quote also argues that stupidity could be considered a detrimental trait that hinders the expression of virtues. However, it acknowledges the challenge of determining where prudence ends and cowardice begins, leaving room for reflection on the delicate boundary between caution and fear.

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