proverb · Words worth keeping
Courage cannot be bought at the inn.
Courage cannot be bought at the inn.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Courage that cannot be bought at an inn contrasts resolve with something available for purchase. It questions obtaining courage as a commodity.
What the words are saying
The setting provides the purchase image without establishing a particular historical practice. The supplied gloss extends the statement to anywhere, but neither version proves that support or resources cannot help someone act. No alcohol mechanism or consumption advice is inferred from the inn.
Everyday example
Someone looks for understanding and support instead of assuming a purchase can supply the resolve a decision needs.
When to use it
Use it to explain the commodity contrast without inventing an inn custom.
What it does not mean
No substance effect, origin or denial of the value of practical support is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 950; PDF page 132
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.