Who do you reckon is the braver race in general, men or elves?

[Elmo]

Is it braver to fight when you have a short lifespan and you'll die anyway, or is braver to fight when, if you die, you could lose out on countless thousands of years of life? The elves marvelled that the Edain gave so freely of what they had so little of. My copy of Morgoth's Ring was stolen in unfortunate circumstances but doesn't it mention that the Moriquendi don't get reborn when they die. It must take some guts to fight in those circumstances and be separated from your loved ones for practically forever. What do you think?

[Gollum the Great]

Well, you might also look at it in this sense: the elves had their stuff (loved ones, countries, personal possessions, etc.) and their numbers didn't grow like men's did. So they might just want to defend all of it personally. Whereas men could be pretty sure that even though it was honourable and their duty to defend their stuff there were so many "other guys" to do the dirty work that it might not be necessary to fight.

Besides, who does?

[The Might]

Simple answer as far as my views are concerned: Men.
Why?

You're a Man and you die = you have no idea what will happen
You're an Elf and you die = you return and chill with your grandpa in Aman or can even be reincarnated if you were cool enough

Why the comparison regarding death? Because death is the ultimate fear. It is the unknown behind it that Men fear - fear of losing all they had and never regaining it. Elves do not have such a feeling. As such, the answer is obvious.

[Elmo]

That's why I mentioned the Dark Elves. They don't get reincarnated according to Morgoth's Ring and they probably don't know what's going to happen when they die either. So Dark Elves in my opinion are the bravest of the lot.

[Morwen]

Originally Posted by Elmo

That's why I mentioned the Dark Elves. They don't get reincarnated according to Morgoth's Ring and they probably don't know what's going to happen when they die either. So Dark Elves in my opinion are the bravest of the lot.

Even if they are not reincarnated, is it not still the fate of the Dark Elves to endure for as long as Arda endures? Even though they no longer have physical bodies would their spirits/souls/what have you (I can't call the elvish name to mind at the moment) - would these not still be around, in the Halls of Mandos or elsewhere? Is there any thing in Morgoth's Ring or any where else on this?

[Groin Redbeard]

This is an interesting question. Are men braver because they risk their already short life just by going into battle, or are the elves who risk their infinite life by going into battle. My opinion is that man is braver than an elf. Honor, courage, a selflessness is what makes a great warrior. A man can only live for a short time therefore he will try to win as much honor in battle as possible so that he can be remembered even after his death, whereas an elf would not be as proned to do so seeing as he can live longer if he is simply careful.

Also the uncertainty after death is an excellent point made by the Might, elves know their destiny after death and men do not. This uncertainty is certainly enough to stall death as long as possible, therefore making courageous acts in battle all the more memorable.