Courage is not the lack of fear of evil since "to fear some things is even right and noble, and it is ignoble not to fear them" (3.1115.11-12). The courageous man fears death, but is not afraid to face this fear. However, for Aristotle, this applies only to the noblest death, death in battle. Excess courage is recklessness, which is overconfidence and a lack of fear. This is a vice because the overconfident man is boastful and only pretends to have courage. This man seems brave, but in reality he is not. A lack of courage is cowardice, which is fear of everything. The coward lacks confidence and despairs, for confidence is what gives hope. So courage is a middle ground between recklessness and cowardice. The courageous man is able to decide in different circumstances whether he should fear something depending on whether it is noble or ignoble to fear