'I will have no man in my boat,' said Starbuck, 'who is not afraid of a whale.' By this, he seemed to mean not only that the most reliable and useful courage was that which arises from the fair estimation of the encountered peril, but that an utterly fearless man is a far more dangerous comrade than a coward.

Summary

In this quote, Starbuck highlights the importance of having a healthy respect for danger. He argues that true courage comes from understanding and acknowledging the risks involved, rather than being completely fearless. He suggests that someone who lacks fear altogether can be reckless and pose a greater threat than someone who is cautious and aware of the dangers. In other words, Starbuck values prudence and a balanced approach to bravery rather than blind and reckless audacity.

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