What is courage about? About the highest end: the sovereignty of the state. This end becomes real when the individual gives himself up.

Harsh opposites:

In courage the sharpest opposites clash. The highest freedom of the individual and mechanical service. Complete obedience, without one’s own opinion. And at the same time the highest presence of mind and resolve. The most hostile action against people, with an indifferent, even kind attitude toward them as individuals.

Courage alone is not enough:

To stake one’s life is more than merely fearing death. But on its own it is only something negative. Robbers, murderers and adventurers also stake their lives. Only the end gives courage its meaning.

The firearm:

In the modern world courage acts more mechanically. The individual acts as a member of a whole. He does not fight against single persons, but against a hostile whole. That is why this principle invented the firearm. The chance invention of the weapon did not change courage.

Summary: Courage serves the sovereignty of the state. It unites the harshest opposites. In the modern world the individual fights as a member of a whole. So this principle invented the firearm.