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!

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.]

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.

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.]

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

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

So cowards fight when they can fly no further;
So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons;
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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.

Who knows himself a braggart,
Let him fear this; for it will come to pass
That every read more

Who knows himself a braggart,
Let him fear this; for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found an ass.

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.