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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.]
Phaedrus (Thrace of Macedonia)
Quotes , Source: Fables (I, 11, 1)
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It is the coward who fawns upon those above him. It is the coward who is insolent whenever he dares be so.
Junius
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The coward never on himself relies,
But to an equal for assistance flies.
George Crabbe
Quotes , Source: Tale III-The Gentleman Farmer (l. 84)
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Cowards are cruel, but the brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.
John Gay
Quotes , Source: Fables (pt. I, fable 1)
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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.]
Francois Rabelais
Quotes , Source: Gargantua
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When all the blandishments of life are gone,
The coward sneaks to death, the brave live on.
Dr. George Sewell
Quotes , Source: The Suicide
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E'en a crow o' th' same nest; not altogether so great as the
first in goodness, but greater a great deal in evil. He excels
his brother for a coward, yet his brother is reputed one of the
best that is. In a retreat he outruns any lackey; marry, in
coming on he has the cramp.
William Shakespeare
Quotes , Source: All's Well That Ends Well (Parolles at IV, iii)
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Who knows himself a braggart,
Let him fear this; for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found an ass.
William Shakespeare
Quotes , Source: All's Well That Ends Well (Parolles at IV, iii)
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You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would men!
William Shakespeare
Quotes , Source: Coriolanus (Marcius at I, iv)
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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.
William Shakespeare
Quotes , Source: King Henry the Sixth, Part III (Clifford at I, iv)
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Thou dost shame
That bloody spoil. Thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward!
Thou little valiant, great in villainy!
Thou ever strong upon the stronger side!
Thou fortune's champion, that dost never fight
But when her humorous ladyship is by
To teach thee safety!
William Shakespeare
Quotes , Source: The Life and Death of King John (Constance at III, i)
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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?
William Shakespeare
Quotes , Source: Macbeth (Lady Macbeth at I, vii)
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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!
William Shakespeare
Quotes , Source: The Merchant of Venice (Bassanio at III, ii)
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A coward, a most devout coward; religious in it.
William Shakespeare
Quotes , Source: Twelfth Night, or, What You Will (Fabian at III, iv)
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The coward calls himself cautious, the miser thrifty.
[Lat., Timidus se vocat cautum, parcum sordidus.]
Syrus (Publilius Syrus)
Quotes , Source: Maxims
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Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was
afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
[Lat., Ignavissimus quisque, et ut res docuit, in periculo non
ausurus, nimis verbis et lingua feroces.]
Tacitus (Caius Cornelius Tacitus)
Quotes , Source: Annales (IV, 62)
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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.
Roscoe Snowden
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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.
Eliza Cook
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