Thou art a cat, and a rat, and a coward.

Thou art a cat, and a rat, and a coward.

Cowards do not count in battle; they are there, but not in it.

Cowards do not count in battle; they are there, but not in it.

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.]

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.]

It is better to be killed than frightened to death.

It is better to be killed than frightened to death.

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.

Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was
afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
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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.]

Cowardice, as distinguished from panic, is almost always simply a lack of ability to suspend the functioning of the imagination.

Cowardice, as distinguished from panic, is almost always simply a lack of ability to suspend the functioning of the imagination.

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!