Men lie, who lack courage to tell truth--the cowards!

Men lie, who lack courage to tell truth--the cowards!

A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward.

A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward.

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!

The coward threatens when he is safe.

The coward threatens when he is safe.

Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes of men.

Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes of men.

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.]

It is better to be killed than frightened to death.

It is better to be killed than frightened to death.

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.]

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?