This quote from "Burning the Days: Recollection" by James Salter encapsulates two powerful forces at the core of human experience: courage and the will to live. The "feeling of courage" is not simply about the absence of fear but the presence of a profound strength that propels one forward even in the face of uncertainty. It acknowledges a pivotal moment when an inner resolve is summoned to face challenges or continue despite hardships.

Coupled with this is a "great desire to continue living," an intense craving for life itself. This speaks to a primal and deeply emotional impulse to survive, to find meaning, and to cherish existence despite pain, loss, or suffering. Together, these elements paint a vivid picture of resilience – not the naive or brash kind but a profound, heartfelt drive that underscores our humanity.

In reflecting on these concepts, the quote invites us to consider the fuel that powers our persistence. It asks us to recognize the delicate balance between fear and hope, despair and courage, and how these conflicting emotions coexist and shape our narrative. In many ways, this moment of bravery and longing is universal, cutting across cultures and histories, resonant to anyone who has stood at a crossroads facing hardship and chose to keep walking.

This quotation serves as a reminder that feeling brave isn’t always loud or triumphant; sometimes it’s quiet, a whisper beneath the noise of our fears. And the desire to continue living is not just a matter of survival but of embracing life with everything it entails. It inspires not just endurance, but a celebration of the human spirit's will to thrive.