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.]

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.]

A cowardly cur barks more fiercely than it bites.
[Lat., Canis timidus vehementius latrat quam mordet.]

A cowardly cur barks more fiercely than it bites.
[Lat., Canis timidus vehementius latrat quam mordet.]

The coward calls himself cautious, the miser thrifty.
[Lat., Timidus se vocat cautum, parcum sordidus.]

The coward calls himself cautious, the miser thrifty.
[Lat., Timidus se vocat cautum, parcum sordidus.]

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!

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.

When all the blandishments of life are gone,
The coward sneaks to death, the brave live on.

When all the blandishments of life are gone,
The coward sneaks to death, the brave live on.

A coward gets scared and quits. A hero gets scared, but still goes on.

A coward gets scared and quits. A hero gets scared, but still goes on.

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?