"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die"

In this quote, Gilbert K. Chesterton is recommending that nerve is a paradoxical idea. He is stating that guts is a strong desire to live, but it is also a readiness to pass away. This indicates that nerve is not practically being brave and facing risk, but also about wanting to accept the effects of one's actions, even if it implies death. This idea of nerve is not practically physical bravery, but likewise about having the strength of character to accept the repercussions of one's actions. It has to do with having the courage to defend what one believes in, even if it suggests compromising one's own life. Ultimately, Chesterton is recommending that nerve is a complicated idea that needs a determination to accept the risks that come with it.