# Courage, Imagination, and the Work at Hand by Harry S. Truman
> “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”
> **— Harry S. Truman**, *Simple Reminders on Real American Pride*
## Sources and Context
- **Direct or authoritative text:** [Special Message to the Congress: The President’s First Economic Report, January 8, 1947 — Harry S. Truman Library](https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/public-papers/4/special-message-congress-presidents-first-economic-report)
- **Series source and editorial context:** [[american/American Ethos - Simple Reminders on Real American Pride|Simple Reminders on Real American Pride]] — entry 001, “Courage, Imagination, and the Work at Hand.”
- **Why it belongs:** Truman locates national confidence in disciplined action rather than anxious display.
## Related Articles and Collections
- **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]]
- **Collection:** [[collections/American|American Collection]]
- **Series source:** [[american/American Ethos - Simple Reminders on Real American Pride|Simple Reminders on Real American Pride]]
- **American route:** [[american/American Ethos - Vision and Doctrine|American Ethos]]
- **American route:** [[american/American Character - Value 09 - Courage|Courage]]
## Related Topics
- [[wiki/American Pride|American Pride]]
## Share on Social Media
```
“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”
— Harry S. Truman, Simple Reminders on Real American Pride
https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-real-american-pride-001-courage-imagination-and-the-work-at-hand
```