In To Kill A Mockingbird, what does this quote mean?

Question

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do." (112)

Answer 1

Real courage is defiantly doing your own thing, no matter what the odds are against you or what the consequences will be; as you're so sure of yourself. You believe that you'll win, and you are willing to take the risk. 'A man with a gun' is a cheat.

Answer 2

In the first sentence, Scout's father, Atticus Finch, says that courage is more than just a physical act.  Its more than just shooting and killing in order to promote safety; its a mental choice.  With courage, a person follows his or her own moral code and sticks to their decisions no matter what the consequences are.  Courage is holding fast to one's convictions even if one knows that there is a good chance they may lose but are willing to risk it in order to win.  Atticus would rather lose with dignity and honor, knowing he held on to his choices and try to obtain that elusive win at court.

Answer 3

Mrs. Dubose is a cancer patient who lived without morphine which is an addictive pain killer. But she was able to overcome it and die without consuming it. To overcome the pain, she was rude to everyone in the town and was known as 'the worst woman who ever lived'. But Atticus explains to Jem that her ability to live without morphine was 'real courage'. He explains to him that courage is not a man with a gun but when you are able to overcome a problem without being encountered by fear.

Answer 4

It means that true courage is doing that which is right, even if it means you will lose something when you do.