Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use. — Ruth Gordon | Printable Wall Art

“Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use.”

Words by Ruth Gordon (1896-1985) — Actress and screenwriter.

About this quote

This quote compares bravery to physical strength. Courage is not a fixed trait that a person simply has or lacks; it grows through regular exercise. Every time you face a difficult decision, take a small risk, or endure hardship, you build your resilience. Over time, confronting minor fears makes it easier to handle larger challenges when they arise.

This line is attributed to the American actress and screenwriter Ruth Gordon. It circulated widely in the late twentieth century as a practical reflection on overcoming professional and personal challenges during her decades in theatre and film.

People often hang this print in a study or home gym to encourage daily practice and personal growth.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 19 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Script Whisper · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Night Script · Tracked Caps Unsigned

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.