The mark of true courage is determination

[A video shows Cambodian soldier Chhum Sreng standing his ground in the face of threats from a Thai soldier on July 23, a day before the July 24-25 armed clashes. FB]

-Opinion-

True courage is a silent virtue that exists between timidity and recklessness. True courage is silent because it is the product of inward strength, resilience and determination, not connected to status, rank or loudness.

True courage is found between two extremes of human nature: timidity and recklessness.

Timidity is centred on fear, insecurity and being discouraged.

Recklessness, at the other extreme, is a lack of caution, forethought and caring for others.

Courage, which sits between these two qualities, represents the greatest virtue of not only soldiers but all citizens.

The soldier in this video is clearly demonstrating how courage is a silent quality of the warrior spirit. We must be better at not only recognising courage, but also rewarding the soldiers and civilians who demonstrate it in exigent circumstances and even in their daily routines, because they are role models for the nation.

Youk Chhang is director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam). The views and opinions expressed are his own.

-The Phnom Penh Post-