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.]

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.]

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.

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.

There are at least two kinds of cowards. One kind always lives with himself, afraid to face the world. The read more

There are at least two kinds of cowards. One kind always lives with himself, afraid to face the world. The other kind lives with the world, afraid to face himself.

The coward never on himself relies,
But to an equal for assistance flies.

The coward never on himself relies,
But to an equal for assistance flies.

Fear even when morbid is not cowardice. That is the label we reserve for something that a man does. What read more

Fear even when morbid is not cowardice. That is the label we reserve for something that a man does. What passes through his mind is his own affair.

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.]

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.]