Often this quiet, humble heroism is the greatest heroism of all. Because of his unbreached devotion to the good, no matter the opposition, a hero attains spiritual grandeur, even in he fails to achieve practical victory. Some level of intellectual acumen is a necessary condition for great achievement, but the mere fact of its possession is not a sufficient condition. Heroism requires application of one's knowledge, it requires practical steps taken in pursuit of one's values. Observe that if so, then an extraordinary man like Cyrano does not qualify.
Heroism requires value conflict.
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