Now I have shed my first blood. I feel no qualms, no pride, no remorse. There is only a weary indifference that will follow me throughout the war.
Audie MurphyRead
I was scared before every battle. That old instinct of self-preservation is a pretty basic thing, but while the action was going on some part of my mind shut off and my training and discipline took over. I did what I had to do.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Courage involves feeling fear but still taking action despite it. Self-discipline and training can help overcome fear in critical moments.
In this quote, Audie Murphy reflects on the natural fear he experienced before entering battle, highlighting that fear is a normal and instinctive response to danger. However, he emphasizes that during combat, his training and discipline allowed him to push through his fear and act according to what was necessary, demonstrating the importance of preparation and mental resilience in overcoming challenges.
Themes
CourageFearTrainingDisciplineBattle
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about facing fears in professional life.
More from Audie Murphy
All quotes →They were singing in French, but the melody was freedom and any American could understand that.
Audie MurphyRead
After the war, they took Army dogs and rehabilitated them for civilian life. But they turned soldiers into civilians immediately, and let em sink or swim.
Audie MurphyRead
Sometimes it takes more courage to get up and run than to stay. You either just do it or you don't. I got so scared the first day in combat I just decided to go along with it.
Audie MurphyRead
No soldier ever really survives a war.
Audie MurphyRead
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