In Penelope Fitzgerald's "The Bookshop," the quote emphasizes the importance of testing one's courage and endurance. It suggests that these qualities hold little value if they are not challenged. Merely possessing courage and the ability to endure isn't enough; they must be put into action to truly demonstrate their significance. The narrative of the book reflects this theme, as characters face various challenges that require them to summon their inner strength and resilience. Without real-world trials, the potential for growth and understanding remains dormant, underlining the necessity of facing adversity to fully appreciate the qualities of courage and endurance.

Courage and endurance are useless if they are never tested.

- book: The Bookshop - author: Penelope Fitzgerald