Modighet

Modighet is a noun used in Norwegian and Danish to denote the quality of courage or bravery. In Norwegian Bokmål, modighet refers to the capacity to face danger or hardship with resolve, as well as to moral courage—the willingness to act rightly even when it is costly. The term is commonly applied in discussions of personal virtue, resilience, and leadership, and it appears in everyday speech, education, and ethical discourse.

Etymology and cognates: The word is formed from the adjective modig (brave) plus a nominalizing suffix that creates an abstract quality. In Norwegian the suffix -het yields modighet, while Danish uses -hed to form modighed. The two forms share a common Germanic heritage and are cognate with related terms in other languages describing courage.

Usage and context: In classical and modern literature, modighet is celebrated in heroes who confront danger or oppression. In ethical philosophy, it is treated as a virtue that balances fear with rational choice and perseverance. The concept often appears in discussions of public life, military history, and civic virtue, where decisions require steadfastness and moral steadiness rather than impulsive risk-taking.

See also: Courage, Bravery, Fortitude, Virtue ethics.