You May Also Like / View all maxioms
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?
The coward threatens when he is safe.
The coward threatens when he is safe.
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!
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.]
E'en a crow o' th' same nest; not altogether so great as the
first in goodness, but greater a read more
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.
When the adulation of life is gone, the coward sneaks to his death, but the brave live on.
When the adulation of life is gone, the coward sneaks to his death, but the brave live on.
Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was
afterwards boldest in words and tongue.
read more
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.]
Thou art a cat, and a rat, and a coward.
Thou art a cat, and a rat, and a coward.
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.]