Do you think the early explores were brave?

Depends in what "Early Explorers you are referring to for specific details, but to be direct, yes. Explorers took major risks with their own lives on their hands in the name for their country, their own glory, science, etc. For example exploration of underdeveloped nations were not considered "new" explorers due to Native populations living in the area, but explorers like the Americans in the Louisiana Purchase or the British in Africa certainly took risks in the name of their country.