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!

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.

The coward only threatens when he is safe.
[Ger., Der Fiege droht nur, wo er sicher ist.]

The coward only threatens when he is safe.
[Ger., Der Fiege droht nur, wo er sicher ist.]

Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.

Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.

A coward, a most devout coward; religious in it.

A coward, a most devout coward; religious in it.

To wish for death is a coward's part.
[Lat., Timidi est optare necem.]

To wish for death is a coward's part.
[Lat., Timidi est optare necem.]

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!

Thou dost shame
That bloody spoil. Thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward!
Thou little valiant, great in read more

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!

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