Courage
‹ 8 · Outline
9.Cowardice and its comedy
9a.The coward rebuked and shamed
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 54–55Wooers are called cravens; Odysseus's strength is likened to a lion slaying fawns and his past wrestling victory.read · scan
- p. 191He throws down arms and begs the king's knees, surviving and enduring hardship.read · scan
- p. 246–247Irus trembles in fear while Odysseus reveals his mighty limbs.read · scan
- p. 287–288Antinous scorns Leiodes for weakness, claiming the bow will not rob the bravest of spirit.read · scan
- p. 301–302Athene taunts Odysseus for feeble courage compared with his nine years at Troy; the best wooers rally to fight for their lives.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 31One flees to safety and leaves his companion to face the bear; the other feigns death.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 60–62The Chorus argues that it is unmanly to yield and better to die.read · scan
Plato, CritoVol. 2
- p. 33Crito says staying is not the manlier part and their inaction will seem cowardice and baseness.read · scan
Plato, PhaedoVol. 2
- p. 77–78Whoever fails to examine the question on every side is deemed a coward.read · scan
The Bhagavad-Gita; or, Song CelestialVol. 45
- p. 789–791Krishna rebukes his weakness as a coward-fit shameful to the brave.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 178Dares's boasting challenge goes unanswered as no one dares fight him; Acestes reproaches Entellus for fear.read · scan
- p. 366Turnus answers the charge of cowardice by recounting his fighting and contrasting a tongue-valiant man.read · scan
- p. 381Tarchon rebukes his fleeing troops as cowards shamed by a woman, and rushes into battle, seizing Venulus.read · scan
- p. 412Aeneas taunts Turnus that the valiant fight with hands, not feet; Turnus's strength fails and he cowers in fear.read · scan
Plutarch, DemosthenesVol. 12
- p. 194–195Eunomus rebuked him for cowardice and meanness of spirit for not bearing up against popular outcry.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 245Pompey reproaches himself for cowardice in deserting Cicero and works for his return.read · scan
- p. 253Cicero blames himself for cowardice in leaving Rome and returns.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 975–976Those who fear men more than God when told to fight are rebuked.read · scan
- p. 985–986Hypocrites quake, plead defenceless houses and seek flight; they show little valour and fear death.read · scan
- p. 986–987Half-hearted men fight little, whereas true believers keep their covenant; trial increases their faith.read · scan
- p. 996–997Israelites refuse to enter the Holy Land for fear of giants; the two faithful men urge trust in God.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 80–82Few dare face the dragon's poison breath, while ten cowardly retainers had failed their lord.read · scan
- p. 82–84Few heroes rallied to the king in the contest.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 368–370She plucks up courage to go to the palace but fails to address the Sultan.read · scan
- p. 370–371The mother lacks courage to step forward and speak for a whole month.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 284Regin taunts Sigurd as lacking his forefathers' heart; Sigurd resents the imputation of cowardice.read · scan
- p. 321–322Only Sigurd dared ride the flames; Gunnar turned pale and dared nothing, so Brynhild despises him as lacking heart.read · scan
- p. 355–356Gudrun taunts her sons as lacking the heart of Gunnar and Hogni.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 10Townsmen of Barfleur and Carentan surrender from fear of death, against the soldiers' will.read · scan
- p. 64–65The knight yields to the mob and goes with them against his will for fear of death.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 34Pertelote scorns Chauntecleer as a coward and says women want husbands hardy, wise and unafraid.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 34–35Some nobles abstain from attachment through pusillanimity and natural defect of courage.read · scan
- p. 40Mercenaries are cowardly before foes and unwilling to give their lives for paltry pay.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 24Cellini shames Tasso into continuing the journey, insisting they need pluck.read · scan
- p. 148The Corsican lacked pluck to do the deed and offers friendship instead.read · scan
- p. 197Cellini saves the scrivener from drowning, while the man taunts him as fainthearted for dismounting on the dangerous bridge.read · scan
- p. 276–277He shames the young men for lacking courage to leave their go-cart and stand on their own.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 37Quixote calls beating a defenseless boy the act of cowards.read · scan
- p. 177–178The confessor is scorned by thieves for lacking courage to say No.read · scan
- p. 244–246Cardenio calls himself a coward and fool for failing to cry out and act.read · scan
- p. 444The women take his inaction for cowardice while the innkeeper is beaten.read · scan
- p. 485Quixote fears being a coward withholding succour from needy persons.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 94Lovers of the world cower before men yet show giant-like valor against God's judgments.read · scan
- p. 113He condemns those who out of ambition or cowardice flatter the world on their deathbed.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 247Kent calls Oswald a cowardly rascal whom a tailor made.read · scan
- p. 281–283Goneril scorns Albany's cowish terror of spirit that dares not undertake.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 335–336Lady Macbeth taunts him as a coward; he says he dares all that becomes a man; she bids him screw courage up.read · scan
- p. 341–343Lady Macbeth calls him infirm of purpose and takes the daggers herself; the dead are but pictures.read · scan
- p. 358Lady Macbeth taunts 'Are you a man?'; Macbeth claims boldness to look on what would appall the devil.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 737–738Dion curses the citizens if they prove cowards; the King says they fight like sheep when hiredread · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 87Fabian asks where his courage has fled as Severus collapses.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 108Belial mocks the bold who shrink from the consequences they know must follow.read · scan
- p. 170Gabriel taunts Satan as first to flee pain; Satan replies he endures as much and undertook the dangerous scouting alone.read · scan
Molière, Tartuffe, or The HypocriteVol. 26
- p. 229Dorine scolds Mariane's timidity, saying love needs courage to resist.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 146Men abandon themselves to vice through cowardice or escape by pride.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 19Pliable quits at the first hardship, angered, while Christian struggles on; contrast of faint-heartedness and perseverance.read · scan
- p. 20Neighbors mock Pliable's cowardliness for giving up over a few difficulties.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 25–27Critics say Aeneas's frequent weeping unmans him; Dryden answers that tears do not show cowardice, as Achilles also wept.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 297–298Vansen mocks the citizens' cowardice, calling them mice despairing at a new cat.read · scan
- p. 299–300Vansen taunts the burghers as cowards who would not risk their ribs to defend Egmont.read · scan
- p. 316Clara shames the timid burghers who fear even to speak Egmont's name.read · scan
- p. 318Brackenburg denies he is a coward yet judges her scheme impracticable; Clara scorns those who conceal themselves.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 119–120Maria says the male slanderer must have a woman's cowardice to traduce one.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 298–300Coward shame on the wretch who dares not die.read · scan
- p. 354–356The first to leave the drinking is called a cuckold and coward.read · scan
- p. 472–474Cowards and traitors are shamed; do or die.read · scan
- p. 528–530Called a coward loon, he feels manhood would be to blame if he refused her.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 462–464Melchthal scorns anyone cowardly enough to waver, since changed circumstances change the vow.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 122–124Griso rallies his cowardly followers, arguing that together they need not fear the bells but singly they would be caught.read · scan
- p. 142–143Lucia is deprived of courage to answer the haughty Signora; the guardian urges her to find it.read · scan
- p. 150She lacks courage to refuse her father openly and is mocked for want of spirit by her adviser.read · scan
- p. 160–161She realizes that drawing back now would require far greater courage than she possesses.read · scan
- p. 164Gertrude's brief renewal of courage collapses into fearful submission before her father's face.read · scan
- p. 187–188Rodrigo shames the cowardly Griso as a craven cur; Griso admits 'heart of a lion, legs of a hare' before setting out with braver men.read · scan
- p. 212The commander's irresolution appears to the crowd as fear; the mob mocks the soldiers' inactivity.read · scan
- p. 213Renzo dares to protest against the mob, then shrinks in fear when accused as a spy.read · scan
- p. 251Notary fears being set down as a coward and base rascal if he shirks executing orders.read · scan
- p. 256The bailiffs and the notary, pale and dismayed, lose nerve and slip away when faced by the hostile crowd.read · scan
- p. 325Lucia's fears rise in the lonely road, and her courage revives at the sight of travellers, who prove deceivers.read · scan
- p. 326–327Ruffians urge 'courage' mockingly to her, calling her a cowardly chicken who faints for nothing.read · scan
- p. 333–334A momentary flash of courage in Lucia quickly gives way to fear.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 291The powerful nobles lack courage to oppose a dangerous man, while Beatrice boldly speaks.read · scan
- p. 326–328Beatrice scorns the hired killers as conscience-stricken cravens and urges bold steps.read · scan
- p. 328–329The hired killers cannot kill the sleeping old man; Beatrice scorns them as cowards and traitors.read · scan
John Greenleaf Whittier, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1357–1358Ireson's cowardly desertion of the wreck and his townspeople, answering 'Sink or swim!'read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 448Convicts are reported arrant cowards, seldom carrying out plans needing cool courage.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 123The former second mate begs not to be flogged; the captain is disgusted with his cowardice, though his escape shows some spirit.read · scan
Walt Whitman, Preface to Leaves of GrassVol. 39
- p. 409The coward will surely pass away.read · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 329–330The Eleventh Corps gives feeble opposition, flees, and hides like rabbits, contrasting with steadier troops.read · scan
- p. 371The horse's composure contrasts with the terrified servants and horses during the bombardment.read · scan
- p. 371–374A terrified soldier cowers behind a stone and is urged to be a man, contrasting with another walking calmly under fire.read · scan
- p. 404Taunts skulkers for cowardice while they loudly rejoice in the victory.read · scan
9b.Comic cowards and false braggarts
See also: Wisdom 4d
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 17The hares are timid, and the frogs are more frightened still.read · scan
- p. 38Nobody dares to bell the cat.read · scan
Aristophanes, The FrogsVol. 8
- p. 439Dionysus boasts of his plucky ways, then panics at the monster Empusa and begs his slave for protection.read · scan
- p. 453Dionysus, in Heracles' lion-skin, faints with terror and comically claims cowardice is not shown by asking for a sponge; Xanthias mocks him.read · scan
- p. 456–457The test of godhood is who flinches under blows; both men comically hide their pain.read · scan
- p. 457Dionysus and Xanthias take turns being beaten and each invents absurd excuses to hide the pain, so the test of the true god fails.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 18–19Unferth mocks the daring of the swimming feat and doubts Beowulf will face Grendel.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 137–138Hidden in a chest, he is terrified when the doorkeeper wants to open it, and the damsel bluffs the guard.read · scan
- p. 139Narrator, panicking and bidding adieu to life, shows cowardice in danger; the damsel's quick wit rescues him.read · scan
- p. 160The narrator flees in terror, hiding in a chest, and breaks his leg escaping the crowd.read · scan
- p. 180He lies motionless under torture and stays hidden, fearing the slave would kill him.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 349Hogni laughs under the heart-cutting while the thrall's faint heart trembles, a contrast of brave and cowardly hearts.read · scan
Christopher Columbus, The Letter of Columbus to Luis de Sant Angel Announcing His DiscoveryVol. 43
- p. 22The natives, though well-made men, are extraordinarily timid and afraid to use their cane weapons.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 142The lawyer credits idle retainers with bolder spirits and manlier courage than craftsmen; More mocks the link between thieves and soldiers.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 29Cellini's threats frighten the cowardly cousins so none stirs to help their kinsman.read · scan
- p. 64–65He weighs a leap and escape against more than twelve swords; Bachiacca is overwhelmed with fright.read · scan
- p. 98Cattivanza sends daring young fellows to risk fighting the guard rather than hazard himself.read · scan
- p. 150Tribolo is the most timorous of men while Cellini is undaunted among hostile exiles.read · scan
- p. 151–152Cellini faces armed men undaunted, while Tribolo and Lamentone urge retreat and cower.read · scan
- p. 154Tribolo trembles with fear while Cellini acts boldly.read · scan
- p. 154–155Tribolo's terror contrasts with Cellini's daring; Cellini says he never saw Tribolo act the man.read · scan
- p. 312Cellini scorns Micceri as a vile coward who does not stir to defend himself despite his sword and boasts.read · scan
- p. 364Seeing Bandinello a trembling coward, he scorns to strike him.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 136–137The Spanish defenders run away when their bluff of lighted matches is discovered.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 63The friars flee in terror, crossing themselves as if pursued by the devil.read · scan
- p. 153Sancho admits cowardice would go unnoticed in the dark, contrasting with his master's resolve.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 436Caliban says Trinculo is not valiant; Trinculo boasts, drunk, that no coward drinks so much sack.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 521–522The shoemakers boast they are steel to the back, men every inch, ready to fight for Ralph.read · scan
Ben Jonson, The AlchemistVol. 47
- p. 636–637Surly mocks Kastril as valiant only out of company, bluster versus real courage.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 801–804Delio and Silvio mock Count Malatesti as a man who would run from battle to save a scarf.read · scan
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life Is a DreamVol. 26
- p. 66–69Fife comically avoids danger to save himself.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to ConquerVol. 18
- p. 240–241She compares herself to a champion of romance examining the giant's force before combat, testing Marlow's timidity.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 115–116Jamie whistles a march to keep his courage cheery, but flees terrified.read · scan
- p. 128–130The fiddler cowers and begs grace when threatened with a rusty rapier, comic cowardice.read · scan
- p. 377–379Would not die heroically like Socrates, Leonidas or Cato, preferring the arms of a lover.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 13–14He lacks courage, feigning composure and smile to face danger he cannot escape.read · scan
- p. 15–16Don Abbondio, not born with a lion's heart, is likened to a clawless, toothless animal who yet wishes not to be devoured.read · scan
- p. 17–18Abbondio, not courageous, sees himself as fragile earthenware among iron vessels.read · scan
- p. 20He is cowed by threats and regrets his quiet life upset; even repenting not aiding iniquity strikes him as iniquitous.read · scan
- p. 22–23Perpetua urges appealing to the bold Archbishop; Don Abbondio, fearing for his back, refuses any resistance.read · scan
- p. 23–24Perpetua argues that those who show their teeth are respected while one always yielding invites abuse; Don Abbondio only laments.read · scan
- p. 25He dreads confiding in Renzo and dares not defy the bravoes.read · scan
- p. 31–32Don Abbondio's cowardice before Renzo's threats and his fear of Don Rodrigo contrast with Renzo's determination.read · scan
- p. 32–33The curate, prudent and timid, complains of having risked his life; he pleads 'mere force' over right and wrong.read · scan
- p. 33The curate's timid retreat to bed and barred doors satirize his cowardice.read · scan
- p. 121Griso advances cautiously through the dark house, tense and cursing creaking steps, as the raiders find the beds empty.read · scan
- p. 122Hardened bravoes, unafraid of known peril, panic at the indefinite danger of the bell; Griso barely keeps a retreat from becoming flight.read · scan
- p. 127–128Don Abbondio, cowardly, repents having called for help and dismisses the crowd with evasions.read · scan
- p. 128The crowd's vanguard slackens and hides in the rear, showing the villagers' timid, disorderly pursuit.read · scan
- p. 371Don Abbondio, like a child beside a surly dog, is afraid to approach or flee the Unnamed.read · scan
- p. 372Don Abbondio's inner monologue reveals timid suspicion of the Unnamed and dread of the journey.read · scan
- p. 373–374Don Abbondio's comic terror at the Unnamed's carbine and at mounting his mule.read · scan
- p. 374Don Abbondio's mounting dread as they near the valley of the Unnamed's vassals.read · scan
- p. 375Don Abbondio grumbles in self-pity, wishes only to be left alone, and resents being dragged into others' affairs.read · scan
- p. 375He fears risking his skin and wants to know what is going on.read · scan
- p. 377Don Abbondio's terror among the bravoes in the valley, likened to Dante in Malebolge.read · scan
- p. 378Reassured, Don Abbondio draws a long breath and stammers a fearful reply to the Unnamed's courtesy.read · scan
- p. 383–384Curate Don Abbondio mocked as poor-spirited, frightened as a chicken in hemp.read · scan
- p. 385Don Abbondio's timid nature: fear of the ruffians, precipice and martyrdom; he submits to others' will.read · scan
- p. 385–386Don Abbondio's cowardly worrying over Don Rodrigo's revenge and shifting of blame; he fears bearing the punishment undeserved.read · scan
- p. 386–388Don Abbondio plans to slip away, avoid the Cardinal and shut himself at home; his timidity is comic.read · scan
- p. 420–421Abbondio remains cowed by the memory of the bravoes yet not wholly subdued, since the Cardinal uses no weapons.read · scan
- p. 472Don Abbondio's cowardice shows in his frantic attempts to flee by any means.read · scan
- p. 473The timid priest begs for escort and fears martyrdom, while Perpetua rebukes him as good for nothing.read · scan
- p. 475–476Don Abbondio's timid fear of ruffians and demand for a guard contrast with Perpetua's brisk resolve.read · scan
- p. 487–488Cowardly priest contrasted with Perpetua's confidence that a large party is safer in danger.read · scan
- p. 488–489Perpetua trusts brave defenders while the timorous curate fears being defended at all.read · scan
- p. 490–491The Unnamed bids Don Abbondio take courage, being ready to face the soldiers.read · scan
- p. 491Don Abbondio marvels that the Unnamed is in his element amid danger, while he fears being between two fires.read · scan
- p. 493Don Abbondio's fear for his life always wins out over Perpetua's urging to go home.read · scan
- p. 626–627Don Abbondio's cowardly evasions about performing the wedding, citing the proclamation against Renzo.read · scan
- p. 627–628Don Abbondio, timid and evasive, clings to life and excuses about health.read · scan
- p. 628Don Abbondio's timid circumlocutions and hopping from bush to bush.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 90The tailor kills seven flies and boasts of his bravery, absurdly inflating a petty deed into heroism.read · scan
- p. 90–92The tailor's boasting bravado deceives the giant into respecting him despite his smallness.read · scan
- p. 92–93He feigns bold strength and walks merrily up to the giants, who flee in terror.read · scan
- p. 95He boasts of needing no help against the giants, though he succeeds by trickery.read · scan
- p. 97His bold false boast scares off the servants.read · scan
- p. 203Seven would-be heroes, led by the 'boldest' Master Schulz, flee in terror from a beetle's hum, mocking the pretense of bravery.read · scan
- p. 204–205The seven mock-heroes attack a sleeping hare as a monster, each urging another to go first; bravery is comically shown as cowardice.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 152–153Dana's fear of the rattlesnake and his wary work beside it; companions mock fear, yet the big Frenchman also shuns it.read · scan
9c.Flight and failure of nerve in great men
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 381–383Aruns kills by stealth and flees in fear, a coward contrasted with the heroic Camilla.read · scan
- p. 389Rutulians see their champion outmatched; Turnus trembles, pale at the altar.read · scan
- p. 412Turnus, disarmed, flees in fear while Aeneas presses on despite his wound.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 412–413Peter fails, denying Jesus three times from fear, then weeps bitterly.read · scan
Plutarch, DemosthenesVol. 12
- p. 192–193Both lacked courage in dangers and war.read · scan
- p. 196His lack of assurance to speak offhand was taken as evidence of timidity.read · scan
- p. 200–201His courage in speaking is praised, though his courage for the wars fell short of his principles.read · scan
- p. 202Phocion's courage and honesty praised; Demosthenes not reliable for courage in arms.read · scan
- p. 206–207Demosthenes urged bravery and reason yet fled the battle, throwing away his arms and belying his shield's motto.read · scan
- p. 208–209Athenian courage falls when Alexander arrives; Demosthenes' heart fails and he abandons the embassy.read · scan
- p. 211–212Demosthenes shows little fortitude in banishment, weeping, in contrast to his earlier bravery as statesman.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 232–233Cicero fears that leniency would brand him a coward, his reputation for courage being not high.read · scan
- p. 243–244Pompey, ashamed, avoids Cicero rather than aid him; Cicero flees instead of fighting.read · scan
- p. 246Cicero lacks courage in arms and trembles in speaking before Pompey's soldiers, while Milo is bold and intrepid; his fear was said to be for his friend.read · scan
- p. 252–253Brutus's conspirators leave Cicero out fearing his temper lacked courage and old age made him timorous.read · scan
- p. 257–258Cicero, fleeing proscription, wavers in fearful and perplexed thoughts, considering suicide at Caesar's altar but deterred by fear of torture.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 293Senators and consuls flee in panic, and Domitius despairs, takes supposed poison, then regrets it.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 961Earlier prophets' followers did not weaken under battle; God loves the patient, while believers showed cowardice at Ohod.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 138Hamlet asks whether he is a coward, unable to act in revenge.read · scan
- p. 174Hamlet contrasts Fortinbras's daring with his own delay, from bestial oblivion or craven scruple.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 170Satan stands dilated like Atlas but flees when the scale shows his weakness.read · scan
- p. 220The rebels lose all courage under his thunder.read · scan
Molière, Tartuffe, or The HypocriteVol. 26
- p. 206–208Orgon's earlier service to his king showed courage, now lost to infatuation.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 39–42Antony scorns Octavius as a cautious, cowardly fighter who dares nothing unless forced.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 134–135Panic seizes the regulars and Dunbar's men, who flee instead of recovering honour; Americans doubt the prowess of British troops.read · scan
Samuel Johnson, Life of Addison, 1672-1719Vol. 27
- p. 165–166Steele doubts Addison has courage enough to expose the play to the censure of a British audience.read · scan
9d.The pitfalls of neutrality and prudent timidity
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 27–28Leocritus argues it is hard to fight over a feast against superior numbers, even Odysseus would die.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 111Sancho professes peaceable caution and forgives all wrongs while Quixote insists valour is needed to hold a conquered island.read · scan
- p. 187Quixote bravely insists his retreat is not fear; Sancho replies that retreat is not flight and that discretion is wise.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 104–105Pilgrims hazard all for God at once, whereas By-ends is cautious.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 357Where right or religion calls, a neuter is a coward or hypocrite.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 280–281He rejects caution and the court's cautious measures, upholding daring.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 18–19Don Abbondio's cowardice: he stays neutral, yields to the stronger and condemns priests who risk themselves defending the weak.read · scan
Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, MontaigneVol. 32
- p. 114Ashamed to see renowned leaders debase themselves by cowardly complacency.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1384–1385The brave who took danger's van are honored; others skulk in cheap subterfuges.read · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 398–400Haskell asks whether reluctance to fight under unfavorable circumstances impugns the army's courage or patriotism.read · scan
‹ 8 · Outline