How many cowards whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
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How many cowards whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,
Who inward searched, have livers white as milk!

Only cowards insult dying majesty.

Only cowards insult dying majesty.

So cowards fight when they can fly no further;
So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons;
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So cowards fight when they can fly no further;
So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons;
So desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives,
Breathe out invectives 'gainst the officers.

Cowards can never be moral.

Cowards can never be moral.

Cowards are cruel, but the brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.

Cowards are cruel, but the brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.

You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that read more

You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would men!

Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine read more

Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,'
Like the poor cat i' th' adage?

Fear even when morbid is not cowardice. That is the label we reserve for something that a man does. What read more

Fear even when morbid is not cowardice. That is the label we reserve for something that a man does. What passes through his mind is his own affair.

Who knows himself a braggart,
Let him fear this; for it will come to pass
That every read more

Who knows himself a braggart,
Let him fear this; for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found an ass.