What does 'real courage" stated by Atticus mean?

From the text:

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do."

Atticus says,

"I wanted you to see something about her (referring to Mrs. Dubose) - I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand."

Atticus is talking about an old lady who is a morphine addict. She has the courage to die sober, without the drugs she had depended on for so long. It is a very different type of courage than a man with a gun.

Your questions are too long. Gradesaver's analysis of the quote you're citing is as follows;

Here, Atticus educates his children as to the true meaning of heroism. Mrs. Dubose was a rather cranky and offensive old woman who lived nearby. She spoke out harshly against Atticus, and in a fit of rage, Jem attacked her flower bed. As punishment, he had to read to her every day after school. Unknowingly, Jem was helping the woman overcome her morphine addiction. Atticus reveals this to his children after the woman has passed, and lets them evaluate the situation for themselves. Atticus treats his children as adults and shows them the meaning of true courage. The last two lines in the passage serve as an analogy to the Tom Robinson case and show that Atticus knows he will not win, but must try his best in his search for justice.

Source(s): http://www.gradesaver.com/to-kill-a-mockingbird/study-guide/section6/

Here, Atticus educates his children as to the true meaning of heroism. Mrs. Dubose was a rather cranky and offensive old woman who lived nearby. She spoke out harshly against Atticus, and in a fit of rage, Jem attacked her flower bed. As punishment, he had to read to her every day after school. Unknowingly, Jem was helping the woman overcome her morphine addiction. Atticus reveals this to his children after the woman has passed, and lets them evaluate the situation for themselves. Atticus treats his children as adults and shows them the meaning of true courage. The last two lines in the passage serve as an analogy to the Tom Robinson case and show that Atticus knows he will not win, but must try his best in his search for justice. I didn't get this from u Jill. (Swear)I got it from the link from Gradesaver. Don't worry.