Assail who will, the VALIANT attends

Meaning & Analysis

A courageous individual stands ready and prepared, regardless of who might launch an attack.

Insights

Moral Fortitude

Symbolizes the strength of character required to withstand any form of adversity—be it criticism, temptation, or hardship—without wavering from one's principles.

Steadfastness in Chaos

Represents the ability to maintain composure, focus, and purpose amidst unpredictable turmoil or widespread hostility. The valiant individual is a point of stability in an unstable world.

The Nature of Courage

Defines true valor not as aggression, but as a state of unwavering readiness and mental preparedness. It emphasizes an internal state of resilience over an external act of fighting.

Chivalric and Stoic Ideals

The proverb evokes the ethos of a chivalric knight or a Stoic philosopher, where honor and duty demand standing firm against any threat. The focus on internal preparedness over external chaos is a key tenet of Stoicism.

Psychological Resilience

Psychologically, the proverb highlights an internal locus of control. The valiant person's state of mind is not dictated by external threats but by their own resolve, showcasing a powerful model of resilience.

Archetype of the Guardian

"The Valiant" functions as an archetype—the sentinel, guardian, or champion—whose identity is defined by their constant readiness to face challenges on behalf of a principle or community.

Rhetorical Devices

Antithesis

Creates a powerful contrast between the indiscriminate, chaotic action of the attacker ("Assail who will") and the focused, stable presence of the defender ("the VALIANT attends").

Archaic Diction

The use of phrases like "Assail who will" and the verb "attends" lends the proverb a formal, timeless, and noble tone, enhancing its sense of ancient wisdom.

Anthimeria

The adjective "valiant" is used as a noun ("the VALIANT"), transforming a personal quality into a powerful, archetypal figure and giving the concept more weight.

couragevalorsteadfastnessresiliencepreparednessstoicism
Analyzed with gemini-2.5-pro on August 1, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

1640, HERB., no. 95.
1659, N.R., p. 17.

Original Scan

Assail who will, the VALIANT attends - a scanned entry from Tilley's 1950 Dictionary of Proverbs.
Scan courtesy of HathiTrust Digital Library.
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.

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Last updated: January 27, 2026