A coward boasting of his courage may deceive strangers, but he is
a laughing-stock to those who know him.
read more

A coward boasting of his courage may deceive strangers, but he is
a laughing-stock to those who know him.
[Lat., Virtutis expers verbis jactans gloriam
Ignotos fallit, notis est derisui.]

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!

Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.

Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.

The coward wretch whose hand and heart can bear to torture ought below, Is ever first to quail and start read more

The coward wretch whose hand and heart can bear to torture ought below, Is ever first to quail and start from the slightest pain or equal foe.

You are like the eels of Melun; you cry out before you are
skinned.
[Fr., Vous semblez les read more

You are like the eels of Melun; you cry out before you are
skinned.
[Fr., Vous semblez les anguilles de Melun; vous criez devant
qu'on vous esorche.]

There are at least two kinds of cowards. One kind always lives with himself, afraid to face the world. The read more

There are at least two kinds of cowards. One kind always lives with himself, afraid to face the world. The other kind lives with the world, afraid to face himself.

The coward never on himself relies,
But to an equal for assistance flies.

The coward never on himself relies,
But to an equal for assistance flies.

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?

A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward.

A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward.