English

Noun

courage of one's convictions ‎(uncountable)

1. (idiomatic, almost always preceded by the) Steadfast adherence to one's beliefs or principles, especially in the face of criticism or other opposition.
   • 1888, Amelia E. Barr, Remember the Alamo, ch. 14:

     "I prefer those who have the courage of their convictions, and who stand by them publicly."

   • 1917, Alice Hegan Rice, Calvary Alley, ch. 4:

     Nance was eager to oblige, but she had the courage of her convictions and held her point.

   • 1997 Nov. 13, John Pritchard, "Obituary: Dr C. A. Pearson," Independent (UK) (retrieved 21 May 2015):

     [T]he courage of his convictions made him a conscientious objector to military service in the Second World War and underpinned half a century of conscientious humanitarian service thereafter.

   • 2013 March 28, Peter Baker, "For Obama, Tricky Balancing Act in Enforcing Defense of Marriage Act," New York Times (retrieved 21 May 2015):

     Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. accused Mr. Obama from the bench on Wednesday of not having “the courage of his convictions” for continuing to enforce the marriage law even after concluding that it violated constitutional equal protection guarantees.