Plato’s Laches

Laches, a general in the Athenian army, saw Socrates fight bravely in the
battle of Delium. When he and Nicias, another general, are asked to explain
the idea of courage, they are at a loss and words fail them. How does courage
differ from thoughtless and reckless audacity? Can a lion be said to be
courageous? What about small children who have little idea of the dangers they
face? Should we call people courageous who do not know whether their bravery
will produce good or bad consequences? What kind of education and training
promotes both courage and goodness in people, whether they are young or old?
Plato constantly presents courage as an essential quality for all who seek to
live a good life, so what does it mean when even the bravest leaders of Athens
cannot tell us what courage really is?