"The paradox of courage is that a man must be a little careless of his life even in order to keep it"

This quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton talks to the concept that nerve is a paradoxical principle. In order to be courageous, one must want to take risks and be a little negligent with their life. This is counterintuitive, as we are usually taught to be mindful and safeguard our lives. However, Chesterton is suggesting that in order to genuinely live life to the max, one need to want to take dangers and be a little reckless with their life. This is the paradox of nerve. It is only by taking risks and being a little negligent with our lives that we can truly experience life and all it needs to use. Nerve is not about being negligent, however rather about being brave enough to take risks and live life to the maximum.