Cowardice Quote by Andreï Makine
““Men can be pitiless towards a woman whose body has eluded them, particularly if this is thanks to their own cowardice.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Life of an Unknown Man” (1992)
A man may feel pity for a woman he cannot reach, especially when his own cowardice creates the distance.
In simple terms: Cowardice can cause pity for the unattainable.
Key Takeaway
Confront personal cowardice to avoid passive pity.
Themes
pity
cowardice
unattainable
gender
power dynamics
Mood
introspective
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- romantic pursuits
- social interactions
- self‑reflection
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
feminist critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your fear of intimacy?
- How can you act beyond pity?
A Different Perspective
Pity without action can perpetuate oppression.
![“[D]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without a conscience a man may never be said to grow old. This is an age of very old young men.” quote by Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/076/hesketh-pearson-35291_age_d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-w_14010.jpg)