"Courage is a mean with regard to fear and confidence"

In this quote, Aristotle presents his understanding of nerve as a balance in between fear and self-confidence. He sees nerve not as the lack of worry, but as the capability to navigate and discover a happy medium between the extremes of being excessively fearful and recklessly positive. True courage depends on facing worries and taking action in spite of them, without being incapacitated by fear or being excessively confident to the point of recklessness. Aristotle sees nerve as a virtue that includes examining situations reasonably, acknowledging and handling worries, while still acting fearlessly. It is the capability to strike a balance in between cautiousness and boldness, making it a mean or happy medium between fear and self-confidence.