I'm a man, Sassenach, he said, very softly. If I thought there was a choice … then I maybe couldna do it. Ye dinna need to be so brave about things if ye ken ye canna help it, aye? He looked at me then, with a faint smile. Like a woman in childbirth, aye? Ye must do it, and it makes no difference if you're afraid-ye'll do it. It's only when ye ken ye can say no that it takes courage.
In Diana Gabaldon's "Voyager," a character reflects on the nature of bravery and necessity. He expresses a profound understanding that true courage often lies in the ability to choose. While he acknowledges that one can act bravely when there is no option, he contrasts that with situations where choice exists. He draws a compelling analogy to childbirth, suggesting that in some circumstances, people must act regardless of fear, which does not require courage since there is no alternative.
This perspective highlights the complexities of human emotion and duty. The character's belief implies that the essence of bravery is revealed in moments of choice, where the option to refuse exists. Therefore, the real test of courage emerges in situations that allow for personal agency, revealing deeper insights into what it means to confront challenges willingly. The conversation poses important questions about the nature of courage and the human experience when faced with unavoidable circumstances.
