I many times encountered courage, real courage. Undeniable courage. I've heard it said that that was the highest quality of the human animal. I encountered that many times, in unexpected places. And I have learned to recognize it when I see it.

Dorothea Lange’s quote highlights the concept of courage as an essential and admirable human trait. Lange reflects on how she encountered real courage in various people throughout her life, often in unexpected situations. By describing it as undeniable, she emphasizes that true courage is unmistakable and profound. The quote suggests that courage is not always displayed in grand, heroic acts but can manifest in quiet, unrecognized moments, particularly when people face adversity with strength and resilience.

Lange’s experience of recognizing courage in unexpected places speaks to her own deep understanding of human strength, likely influenced by her work as a photographer during the Great Depression. Her iconic photographs, particularly of migrant workers, often captured the resilience and dignity of individuals facing extreme hardship. Lange’s ability to identify courage in these people shows that courage is not bound by circumstance; it is often found in the most challenging and dire situations.

The quote also reflects Lange’s belief that courage is one of the highest qualities of the human animal, surpassing other virtues in its significance. Her encounters with courage, through her photographic work, led her to appreciate its power and value in the face of struggle and suffering. This recognition allowed her to understand and document the strength of people who, despite their challenges, exhibited courage through their actions, determination, and survival.

Originating from her personal experiences and professional observations, this quote underscores Lange’s admiration for the resilience of the human spirit. Her ability to capture and recognize courage in her photographs reinforced her belief that courage is an intrinsic part of the human experience. Through her lens, she taught us that courage is not always loud or visible, but it can be found in the quiet strength of individuals enduring life’s most difficult trials.