Courage is poorly housed that dwells in numbers; the lion never counts the herd that are about him, nor weighs how many flocks he has to scatter.

The quote "Courage is poorly housed that dwells in numbers; the lion never counts the herd that are about him, nor weighs how many flocks he has to scatter." by Aaron Hill reflects the idea that true courage does not rely on the support or presence of others. Hill, an English poet and playwright, uses the metaphor of a lion to emphasize that courage should come from within and not from the numbers or strength of others around you. The lion, as a symbol of bravery and power, does not concern itself with how many others it faces, but moves forward with confidence, undeterred by the size of the opposition.

The quote suggests that courage becomes weaker or diluted when it is dependent on external factors, such as the support of a group or numbers. True courage, according to Hill, is individualistic, like the lion that does not measure its strength by the size of the herd or how many adversaries it faces. This emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and inner strength in moments of challenge or conflict.

Hill also touches on the idea that courage is not about calculating risks or counting on others for strength. The lion's focus is not on how many flocks or enemies surround it, but on its own ability to act boldly and decisively. Similarly, individuals with true courage do not wait for the perfect conditions or for others to join them; they face challenges head-on regardless of the circumstances.

Ultimately, the quote encourages us to cultivate personal courage that does not rely on the comfort of numbers or external validation. It teaches that courage is about bravery, self-confidence, and the willingness to face difficulties alone if necessary, just as the lion does in the wild.