Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.

Graham’s aphorism frames courage as socially transmissible rather than purely individual: one person’s public resolve can lower others’ fear and raise their willingness to act. The image of “spines…stiffened” suggests moral backbone—an inner strengthening that becomes possible when someone else demonstrates that resistance is survivable. In this view, bravery functions as leadership by example, creating a ripple effect in communities, churches, or civic life. The line also implies an ethical responsibility: those with influence (or simply the first mover) can help others overcome inertia and conformity by taking a principled stand, especially in moments of uncertainty or pressure.