Nelson Mandela corrects a common misconception about bravery. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the will to act in spite of it. A truly "brave man" is fully aware of the danger and feels the natural human emotion of fear, but does not allow that fear to paralyze him or dictate his actions.

The heroism lies in "conquering that fear," in moving forward even when every instinct might be screaming to retreat. This is what makes courage a virtue—it is a choice made in the face of adversity. It is the mastery of one's own internal reactions.

This quote is liberating for anyone who has ever felt afraid. It tells us that we don't need to wait for fear to disappear to be brave. We can feel the fear and choose to move forward anyway, which is the very definition of true courage.