“He who cannot escape danger must know how to stand boldly in front of it.” Jean de La Fontaine

“He who cannot escape danger must know how to stand boldly in front of it.” Jean de La Fontaine

Jean de La Fontaine's words remind us that life does not always offer us escape routes. There are situations that cannot be resolved by ignoring, postponing, or avoiding them. On the contrary, they come right at us. It is at this point that courage takes on meaning, not as the absence of fear, but as the ability to stand firm despite fear. La Fontaine defines courage not as a heroic leap, but as the maturity to face reality. Because humans cannot eliminate every danger, but they can choose how to stand up to it.

Inspired by this quote, here is a practical suggestion that can be applied in daily life: Identify one issue that you have been avoiding but now know you cannot escape. This could be a conversation, a decision, or a confrontation. Then ask yourself this question: “Instead of running away from this situation, how can I face it in my calmest and clearest state?” Your goal is not to solve the problem immediately; first, achieve the ability to stay there. Courage often comes not from grand gestures, but from the power to stand your ground.

For example, uncertainty that wears you down at work, an unspoken issue within your family, or a fear growing inside you... These are situations that grow stronger when you run away from them and shrink when you face them. This is exactly what La Fontaine points out: Danger sometimes blocks our path because that is precisely where we need to pass. Let us not forget: the moments we cannot escape are the moments our courage grows, and in those moments, we are much stronger than we imagine.

Who is Jean de La Fontaine?

Jean de La Fontaine is one of the most important French writers and poets of the 17th century. He is particularly known for his fables, in which he describes human nature, moral weaknesses, and life lessons in a simple yet profound language. The messages he conveys through animal characters have guided both children and adults for centuries. La Fontaine's words contain powerful observations on courage, wisdom, realism, and human psychology. The reason his work is still frequently referenced in the fields of personal development, education, and motivation today is his courage to describe humans as they are, rather than idealizing them.

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