That man is not truly brave who is afraid either to seem or to be, when it suits him, a coward.
Interpretation
True bravery is not just about outward appearances; it also involves the ability to confront one's fear of being perceived as cowardly.
This quote by Edgar Allan Poe suggests that genuine courage requires a person to acknowledge and confront their own fears, particularly the fear of appearing cowardly. It emphasizes that someone who avoids acknowledging their vulnerabilities or acting in a way that might be considered cowardly, when appropriate, cannot be seen as truly brave, as they are defined by the opinions and perceptions of others, rather than by their own moral fortitude.
In practice
During a motivational speech about overcoming fears.
But evil things, in robes of sorrow, Assailed the monarch's high estate; (Ah, let us mourn, for never morrow Shall dawn upon him desolate!) And round about his home the glory That blushed and bloomed, Is but a dim-remembered story Of the old time entombed.
Most writers - poets in especial - prefer having it understood that they compose by a species of fine frenzy - an ecstatic intuition - and would positively shudder at letting the public take a peep behind the scenes.
...the agony of my soul found vent in one loud, long and final scream of despair.
Where the good and the bad and the worst and the best have gone to their eternal rest.
I could have clasped the red walls to my bosom as a garment of eternal peace. "Death," I said, "any death but that of the pit!" Fool! might I have not known that into the pit it was the object of the burning iron to urge me?
In our endeavors to recall to memory something long forgotten, we often find ourselves upon the very verge of remembrance, without being able, in the end, to remember.
Let me remind you that you have a two-fold task to perform. With the force of arms and at the cost of your blood you will have to win liberty. Then, when India is free, you will have to organize the permanent army of Free India, whose task it will be to preserve our liberty for all time. We must build up our national defense on such an unshakable foundation that never again in our history shall we lose our freedom.
I felt that as an American citizen, as a responsible citizen, I could no longer cooperate in concealing this information from the American public. I did this clearly at my own jeopardy and I am prepared to answer to all the consequences of this decision.
He says NO! In thunder; but the Devil himself cannot make him say yes.
I'm not afraid to take a stand. Everybody come take my hand. We'll walk this road together, through the storm. Whatever weather, cold or warm. Just let you know that, you're not alone. Holla if you feel that you've been down the same road.
If I hadn't been a drunkard, I probably would have committed suicide long ago.
There's a tremendous bias against taking risks. Everyone is trying to optimize their ass-covering.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.