---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are times when it is more…"
description: "\"There are times when it is more courageous to be cowardly.\" — Norman Reilly Raine"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/norman-reilly-raine-81365_courage_there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageo_794178.png"
---

#  There are times when it is more courageous to be cowardly.

![“There are times when it is more courageous to be cowardly.” quote by Norman Reilly Raine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/norman-reilly-raine-81365_courage_there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageo_794178.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/norman-reilly-raine-81365_courage_there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageo_794178.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/norman-reilly-raine-81365_courage_there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageo_794178.png)

> “There are times when it is more courageous to be cowardly.”

Norman Reilly Raine

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Sometimes bravery means choosing caution over confrontation.

**In simple terms:** Courage can be quiet.

Key Takeaway

Know when to hold back.

Themes

courage strategy self‑preservation

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- conflict resolution
- personal safety
- leadership decisions

Key Concepts

risk assessment moral choice

Questions to Reflect On

- When is restraint wise?
- How to balance fear and action?

A Different Perspective

Overcaution may miss opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Courageous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courageous/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [Every time you make the hard, correct decision you become a bit more courageous, and every time you make the easy, wrong decision you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/every-time-you-make-the-hard-correct-decision-you-become-a-bit-more/)

[Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/)

> [“A real man—real in all the ways that we recognize as real—finds himself suddenly abstracted from the world and deposited in a physical situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-donaldson/a-real-man-real-in-all-the-ways-that-we-recognize-as-real-finds/)

[Stephen R. Donaldson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-donaldson/)

> [We must be neither cowardly nor rash but courageous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/we-must-be-neither-cowardly-nor-rash-but-courageous/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [Mohammed knew that most people are terribly cowardly and stupid. That is why he promised two beautiful women to every courageous warrior who dies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-himmler/mohammed-knew-that-most-people-are-terribly-cowardly-and-stupid-that/)

[Heinrich Himmler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-himmler/)

> [We have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/we-have-been-the-cowards-lobbing-cruise-missiles-from-2-000-miles/)

[Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/)

> [It is our people who are sitting in the dark because of these cowardly and treacherous attacks, not our occupiers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyad-allawi/it-is-our-people-who-are-sitting-in-the-dark-because-of-these/)

[Iyad Allawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyad-allawi/)

> [The secret of power is the knowledge that others are more cowardly than you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-borne/the-secret-of-power-is-the-knowledge-that-others-are-more-cowardly/)

[Ludwig Borne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-borne/)

> [The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair through fear alone. \[Lat., Fortes et strenuos etiam contra…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/the-brave-and-bold-persist-even-against-fortune-the-timid-and/)

[Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/)

> [Experience shows that after a disaster it is particularly difficult with the Americans, who appear to be quite cowardly despite their Rambo films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-bates/experience-shows-that-after-a-disaster-it-is-particularly-difficult/)

[Ken Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-bates/)

> [“The cowardly thing is also the most dangerous thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/the-cowardly-thing-is-also-the-most-dangerous-thing/)

[C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/)

> [“I’m a coward.” “No—” “Don’t deny what we both know to be true.” Richard put his hand on Jonathan’s shoulder. “You are worn down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sondra-allan-carr/i-m-a-coward-no-don-t-deny-what-we-both-know-to-be-true-richard-put/)

[Sondra Allan Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sondra-allan-carr/)

> [It often occurs that pride and selfishness are muddled with strength and independence. They are neither equal nor similar; in fact, they are polar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/it-often-occurs-that-pride-and-selfishness-are-muddled-with-strength/)

[Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/)

> [“To not do what you can to protect someone, that's cowardly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-lynn-anderson/to-not-do-what-you-can-to-protect-someone-that-s-cowardly/)

[Jodi Lynn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-lynn-anderson/)

> [“I am a coward. I am a cowardly coward, full of cowardice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-flinn/i-am-a-coward-i-am-a-cowardly-coward-full-of-cowardice/)

[Alex Flinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-flinn/)

> [“One courageous man who leaves the coward crowds behind himself and walks forward has the potential of changing the whole world!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/one-courageous-man-who-leaves-the-coward-crowds-behind-himself-and/)

[Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

## More by Norman Reilly Raine

> [A fat stomach sticks out too far. It prevents you from looking down and seeing what is going on around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-reilly-raine/a-fat-stomach-sticks-out-too-far-it-prevents-you-from-looking-down/)

Norman Reilly Raine

> [An artist should remain true. Otherwise his talent, like his stomach, grows fat and stuffy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-reilly-raine/an-artist-should-remain-true-otherwise-his-talent-like-his-stomach/)

Norman Reilly Raine

Explore all 3 Norman Reilly Raine quotes

## More Courage quotes

> [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/)

[Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/)

> [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/)

[Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/)

> [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/)

[Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/)

> [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/)

James T. Conway

> [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/)

[Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/)

> [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/)

[Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/)

> [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/)

[Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/)

> [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/)

[Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/)

> [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [“There is nothing purer, braver, or more beautiful than the try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-armstrong/there-is-nothing-purer-braver-or-more-beautiful-than-the-try/)

Kristen Armstrong

> [“One theory on cannibals, of course, is that they eat parts of their slain enemies to benefit from that person's greatest assets - their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-powell/one-theory-on-cannibals-of-course-is-that-they-eat-parts-of-their/)

[Julie Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-powell/)

> [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/)

[Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/)

> [I have pictures with Morimoto where I'm all embarrassed and he's so serious, it took me 30 minutes to get up the courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcela-valladolid/i-have-pictures-with-morimoto-where-i-m-all-embarrassed-and-he-s-so/)

[Marcela Valladolid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcela-valladolid/)

[Browse all 14,559 Courage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "There are times when it is more courageous to be cowardly.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Norman Reilly Raine"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-reilly-raine/there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageous-to-be-cowardly/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Courage"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-reilly-raine/there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageous-to-be-cowardly/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/norman-reilly-raine-81365_courage_there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageo_794178.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/norman-reilly-raine-81365_courage_there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageo_794178.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/norman-reilly-raine-81365_courage_there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageo_794178.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“There are times when it is more courageous to be cowardly.” — Norman Reilly Raine",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Norman Reilly Raine",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-reilly-raine/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "There are times when it is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-reilly-raine/there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageous-to-be-cowardly/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-reilly-raine/there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageous-to-be-cowardly/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
