Part of courage is simple consistency.

Noonan’s line reframes courage as less a dramatic, one-time act and more a sustained practice. “Simple consistency” suggests showing up repeatedly for one’s principles, duties, or promises—especially when doing so is inconvenient, unpopular, or emotionally taxing. The courage here is quiet: resisting the temptation to quit, rationalize, or reinvent oneself to fit the moment. In this view, bravery is demonstrated through steadiness over time—maintaining moral and personal continuity amid pressure, fear, or fatigue. The quote also implies that inconsistency can be a form of self-protection, while consistency exposes a person to consequences; persisting anyway becomes a measure of character.