In Latin, we know, the word _virtus_ meant courage, and also virtue--showing that the Romans held the two qualities to be identical or similar.
In discussing the operations of war, little is usually said of courage.

The reason, however, is not that its value is unrecognized, but that its existence is assumed; in the same way as that in which all the other faculties among the men are assumed, such as physical health, ability to march, etc.

Movements to inspire fear, however, actions to break down the morale, are of frequent use; because, if the morale of the opposing side is broken down, its power of resistance is destroyed.
In the operations, therefore, of two contending parties, force is opposed by force.

If the forces on both sides could be concentrated at a single point, and exerted in opposite directions, the result would be decided in an instant.

Such an arrangement has never yet been brought about; though fairly close approximations have been made, when two parties have selected two champions who have fought for them--the victory going by agreement to the side whose champion became the victor.
Barring such rare occasions, contests in war have usually been between two forces spread over considerable areas of land or water; and the contest has usually been decided by the defeat of one of the two.