Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.

The line distinguishes true courage from mere physical hardiness. Montaigne frames “valor” as an inner steadiness—firmness of will, judgment, and moral nerve—rather than the outward capacity to endure blows or perform feats of strength. Read this way, bravery is not guaranteed by a strong body (legs and arms) but by a resilient spirit that can remain constant under fear, pain, or uncertainty. The emphasis on “stability” suggests that valor is measured over time and under pressure: it is the ability to hold one’s ground inwardly even when the body trembles or fails. The thought aligns with Montaigne’s broader skepticism about appearances and his interest in the mind’s governance over human conduct.