# Quotes about cowardice

- Quotes: 41
- Authors: 32
- Broader topic: [Quotes about fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md)
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice
- JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.json

## Quotes

> Valiant of tongue, though his hand was cold for battle.

[Virgil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil.md) · [The Aeneid](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid/valiant-of-tongue.md)

Topics: [words](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/words.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> But base and crafty cowards, are like the arrow that flieth in the dark.

[Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-essays.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-essays/but-base-and.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Most people were cowards. Being angry about that was like being angry at time for passing.

[James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [The Mercy of Gods](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/the-mercy-of-gods.md) · p. 365 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/the-mercy-of-gods/most-people-were.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Scrabbling like mad at their beloved fence, the politicians tried to avoid taking a definite position on either side.

[William Tenn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-tenn.md) · [The Wooden Star](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-tenn/the-wooden-star.md) · p. 234 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-tenn/the-wooden-star/scrabbling-like-mad.md)

Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> It is astonishing and a little sad to realize how many discoveries, how many advancements, have been delayed for years, for decades, not because the information was unavailable but because of sheer cowardice, fear of being laughed at, of being ostracized by one's colleagues.

[Hanya Yanagihara](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hanya-yanagihara.md) · [The People in the Trees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hanya-yanagihara/the-people-in-the-trees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hanya-yanagihara/the-people-in-the-trees/it-is-astonishing.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Don’t confuse caution with cowardice.

[Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Divergence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/divergence.md) · p. 495 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/divergence/dont-confuse-caution.md)

Topics: [caution](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/caution.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Didn’t anything scare the two aliens? Sometimes she wondered if humans were the only beings in the universe with a sense of cowardice (be charitable, and call it and instinct for self-preservation).

[Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Convergence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/convergence.md) · p. 396 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/convergence/didnt-anything-scare.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Birdie cringed. If there was one thing worse than being a coward, it was being mistaken for a hero.

[Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Divergence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/divergence.md) · p. 441 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/divergence/birdie-cringed-if-there.md)

Topics: [heroism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/heroism.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Closing your eyes isn't going to change anything. Nothing's going to disappear just because you can't see what's going on. In fact, things will even be worse the next time you open your eyes. That's the kind of world we live in. Keep your eyes wide open. Only a coward closes his eyes. Closing your eyes and plugging up your ears won't make time stand still.

[Haruki Murakami](https://www.leafyquotes.com/haruki-murakami.md) · [Kafka on the Shore](https://www.leafyquotes.com/haruki-murakami/kafka-on-the-shore.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/haruki-murakami/kafka-on-the-shore/closing-your-eyes.md)

Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [reality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reality.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> It was a harsh school, right enough ... but a lot of good had come from it.The petty tyrants and bullies were fewer now, for braggarts had little to sustain them in the face of an enemy broadside.

[Douglas Reeman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-reeman.md) · [A Tradition of Victory](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-reeman/a-tradition-of-victory.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-reeman/a-tradition-of-victory/it-was-a-harsh.md)

Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> If you ask me, the difference between a hero and a coward is that a hero find some damn-fool way to con himself into going ahead instead of doing the sensible thing.

[Glen Cook](https://www.leafyquotes.com/glen-cook.md) · [Sweet Silver Blues](https://www.leafyquotes.com/glen-cook/sweet-silver-blues.md) · p. 239 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/glen-cook/sweet-silver-blues/if-you-ask.md)

Topics: [heroism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/heroism.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> 'I deserve to be thought a coward. I am a coward. I'm just so bloody afraid of dying — of losing —'

[Susan Howatch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-howatch.md) · [The Wheel Of Fortune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-howatch/the-wheel-of-fortune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-howatch/the-wheel-of-fortune/i-deserve-to-be-thought.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> There is no valor in running for your life.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Dance with Dragons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons/there-is-no-valor.md)

Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Once a man had turned his tail and run from battle he ceased to be a man.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Feast for Crows](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows/once-a-man.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> The brave man slays with a sword, the craven with a wineskin.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Feast for Crows](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows/the-brave-man.md)

Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Only cowards kill the vanquished

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Clash of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/only-cowards-kill.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> There are many forms of cowardice, Chareos. One man can face a score of enemies with a sword, but not a sickness which paralyses him. Another can face death with a smile, yet fear the years of hardship and toil which are living. Are you a coward?

[David Gemmell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell.md) · [Quest for Lost Heroes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/quest-for-lost-heroes.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/quest-for-lost-heroes/there-are-many.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> By nature of definition only the coward is capable of the highest heroism.

[David Gemmell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell.md) · [Legend](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/legend.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/legend/by-nature-of-definition.md)

Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> I think that for the coward every day carries a kind of death.

[David Gemmell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell.md) · [Stormrider](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/stormrider.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/stormrider/i-think-that.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> The nature of a coward is to avoid death. If such a man courts peril there can be only two reasons. Either he is not a coward at all — or there is no danger.

[David Gemmell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell.md) · [Stormrider](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/stormrider.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/stormrider/the-nature-of-a-coward.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Honor in safety, survival under threat. Better a living coward than a dead hero.

[N. K. Jemisin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin.md) · [The Fifth Season](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-fifth-season.md) · p. 405 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-fifth-season/honor-in-safety.md)

Topics: [survival](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/survival.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Cowards die many times before their deaths;
>
> The valiant never taste of death but once.

[William Shakespeare](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-shakespeare.md) · [Julius Caesar](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-shakespeare/julius-caesar.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-shakespeare/julius-caesar/cowards-die-many.md)

Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Every one of my acts commits me as a man. Every one of my silences, every one of my cowardices reveals me as a man.

[Frantz Fanon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frantz-fanon.md) · [Black Skin, White Masks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frantz-fanon/black-skin-white-masks.md) · p. 89 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frantz-fanon/black-skin-white-masks/every-one-of-my-acts.md)

Topics: [responsibility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/responsibility.md), [silence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/silence.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> That was the coward’s route. Wishing for ignorance.

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [Oathbringer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/oathbringer.md) · p. 824 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/oathbringer/that-was-the.md)

Topics: [ignorance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ignorance.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> A moral coward, you see, is simply someone who has read the fine print on the back of his Birth Certificate and seen the little clause which says "You can't win."

[Kyril Bonfiglioli](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kyril-bonfiglioli.md) · [Something Nasty in the Woodshed](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kyril-bonfiglioli/something-nasty-in-the-woodshed.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kyril-bonfiglioli/something-nasty-in-the-woodshed/a-moral-coward.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Like all his kind and all other bullies, von Schoenvorts was a coward at heart.

[Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs.md) · [The Land That Time Forgot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs/the-land-that-time-forgot.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs/the-land-that-time-forgot/like-all-his.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Cruelty is a kind of cowardice. Cruel laughter is the way cowards cry they are not alone, and causing pain is how they grieve.

[Gregory David Roberts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts.md) · [Shantaram](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram/cruelty-is-a-kind.md)

Topics: [cruelty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cruelty.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> “Mobs,” Corippus said scornfully. “The bravest bastards in the world, till somebody fights back.”

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Agent of Byzantium](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/agent-of-byzantium.md) · p. 288 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/agent-of-byzantium/mobs-corippus-said.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md), [crowd](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/crowd.md)

> Now he was grateful a second time. He felt as though he had been plucked from the face of a cliff and put down on sure ground. In Sethe's bed he knew he could put up with two crazy girls — as long as Sethe made her wishes known. Stretched out to his full length, watching snowflakes stream past the window over his feet, it was easy to dismiss the doubts that took him to the alley behind the restaurant: his expectations for himself were high, too high. What he might call cowardice other people called common sense.

[Toni Morrison](https://www.leafyquotes.com/toni-morrison.md) · [Beloved](https://www.leafyquotes.com/toni-morrison/beloved.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/toni-morrison/beloved/now-he-was.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Each man thought: one of the others is bound to say something soon, some protest, and then I'll murmur agreement, not actually say anything, I'm not as stupid as that, but definitely murmur very firmly, so that the others will be in no doubt that I thoroughly disapprove, because at a time like this it behooves all decent men to nearly stand up and be almost heard… But no one said anything. The cowards, each man thought.

[Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Guards! Guards!](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/guards-guards.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/guards-guards/each-man-thought.md)

Topics: [conformity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conformity.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Young men go to war. Sometimes because they are have to, sometimes because they want to. Always, they feel they are supposed to. This comes from the sad, layered stories of life, which over the centuries have seen courage confused with picking up arms, and cowardice confused with laying them down.

[Mitch Albom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mitch-albom.md) · [The Five People You Meet in Heaven](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mitch-albom/the-five-people-you-meet-in-heaven.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mitch-albom/the-five-people-you-meet-in-heaven/young-men-go-to-war.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> "I like being brave well enough, but I will be a lazy coward again if you think that would be better. The sight of her makes me want to do battle with all evil and ugliness, but it also makes me want to sit still and be unhappy."

[Peter S. Beagle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-s-beagle.md) · [The Last Unicorn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-s-beagle/the-last-unicorn.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-s-beagle/the-last-unicorn/i-like-being.md)

Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> [A] falsehood, which may be pardoned if it is to save another, is black sin if used by a coward to save himself.

[John Buchan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-buchan.md) · [Witch Wood](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-buchan/witch-wood.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-buchan/witch-wood/a-falsehood-which.md)

Topics: [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> There is no other difference between those who are called courageous and those who are branded craven than that the second are fearful before the danger and the first after.

[Gene Wolfe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe.md) · [The Claw Of The Conciliator](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe/the-claw-of-the-conciliator.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe/the-claw-of-the-conciliator/there-is-no-other.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Teamwork," Koteks snarled, "is one word for it, yeah. What it really is is a way to avoid responsibility. It's a symptom of the gutlessness of the whole society.

[Thomas Pynchon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-pynchon.md) · [The Crying of Lot 49](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-pynchon/the-crying-of-lot-49.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-pynchon/the-crying-of-lot-49/teamwork-koteks-snarled.md)

Topics: [responsibility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/responsibility.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> It never occurred to him to be spiritually won over to the enemy. Many moderns, inured to a weak worship of intellect and force, might have wavered in their allegiance under this oppression of a great personality. They might have called Sunday the super-man. If any such creature be conceivable, he looked, indeed, somewhat like it, with his earth-shaking abstraction, as of a stone statue walking. He might have been called something above man, with his large plans, which were too obvious to be detected, with his large face, which was too frank to be understood. But this was a kind of modern meanness to which Syme could not sink even in his extreme morbidity. Like any man, he was coward enough to fear great force; but he was not quite coward enough to admire it.

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [The Man Who Was Thursday](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/the-man-who-was-thursday.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/the-man-who-was-thursday/it-never-occurred.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> So debated Doremus, like some hundreds of thousands of other craftsmen, teachers, lawyers, what-not, in some dozens of countries under a dictatorship, who were aware enough to resent the tyranny, conscientious enough not to take its bribes cynically, yet not so abnormally courageous as to go willingly to exile or dungeon or chopping-block—particularly when they "had wives and families to support."

[Sinclair Lewis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis.md) · [It Can't Happen Here](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/it-cant-happen-here.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/it-cant-happen-here/so-debated-doremus.md)

Topics: [tyranny](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/tyranny.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> Most civilization is based on cowardice. It's so easy to civilize by teaching cowardice. You water down the standards which would lead to bravery. You restrain the will. You regulate the appetites. You fence in the horizons. You make a law for every movement. You deny the existence of chaos. You teach even the children to breathe slowly. You tame.

[Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [God Emperor of Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/god-emperor-of-dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/god-emperor-of-dune/most-civilization-is-based.md)

Topics: [civilization](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/civilization.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> "I'm going to rub your faces in things you try to avoid. I don't find it strange that all you want to believe is only that which comforts you. How else do humans invent the traps which betray us into mediocrity? How else do we define cowardice?"

[Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Children Of Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/children-of-dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/children-of-dune/im-going-to-rub.md)

Topics: [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md), [mediocrity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/mediocrity.md)

> All is in a man's hands and he lets it all slip from cowardice, that's an axiom. It would be interesting to know what it is men are most afraid of. Taking a new step, uttering a new word is what they fear most.

[Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky.md) · [Crime And Punishment](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/crime-and-punishment.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/crime-and-punishment/all-is-in-a-mans.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [change](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/change.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)

> The incredible speed which Maximin exerted in his flight is much more celebrated than his prowess in the battle.

[Edward Gibbon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-gibbon.md) · [The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-gibbon/the-history-of-the-decline-and-fall-of-the-roman-empire.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-gibbon/the-history-of-the-decline-and-fall-of-the-roman-empire/the-incredible-speed.md)

Topics: [irony](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/irony.md), [cowardice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cowardice.md)