proverb · Words worth keeping
He seems brave who is afraid to run away.
He seems brave who is afraid to run away.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Apparent bravery caused by fear of running away contrasts a visible action with a possible hidden motive. The saying questions courage judged by appearance alone.
What the words are saying
The sentence does not establish anyone’s actual intention or make staying or leaving a reliable measure of courage. A useful application considers context without mind-reading or shaming withdrawal. It does not recommend remaining in danger or imply that fear makes someone unworthy.
Everyday example
Someone avoids judging a colleague’s courage solely from whether they stay in a difficult setting.
When to use it
Use it to question outward courage judgments without predicting motives.
What it does not mean
No courage, cowardice or safety established by staying or leaving alone.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
United Kingdom
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 973; PDF page 84; collection label: United Kingdom
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- United Kingdom