--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To elope is cowardly; it is running away…" description: "\"To elope is cowardly; it is running away from danger; and danger has become so rare in modern life.\" — Oscar Wilde" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e15/oscar-wilde-16_coward_to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away_3181778.jpg" --- # To elope is cowardly; it is running away from danger; and… ![“To elope is cowardly; it is running away from danger; and danger has become so rare in modern life.” quote by Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e15/oscar-wilde-16_coward_to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away_3181778.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e15/oscar-wilde-16_coward_to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away_3181778.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e15/oscar-wilde-16_coward_to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away_3181778.jpg) > “To elope is cowardly; it is running away from danger; and danger has become so rare in modern life.” [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding confrontation by fleeing is seen as weak, especially when real threats are scarce. **In simple terms:** Running away is cowardice when danger is rare. Key Takeaway Face challenges directly. Themes courage confrontation modernity Mood reflective critical Type philosophical social commentary When to use this quote - personal relationships - political activism - career decisions Key Concepts existentialism social critique Questions to Reflect On - What fears are you avoiding? - Is avoidance ever justified? A Different Perspective Escaping may avoid immediate discomfort but can erode resilience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coward/) [Cowardly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowardly/) [Cowardly Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowardly-running-5832643/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Elope Cowardly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elope-cowardly-5832642/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern/) [Modern life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-life/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Running away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-away/) ## Related quotes > [Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow that talent to the dark place where it leads. Erica Jong To Cowardly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/everyone-has-talent-what-is-rare-is-the-courage-to-follow-that-talent/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [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/) > [There are times when it is more courageous to be cowardly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-reilly-raine/there-are-times-when-it-is-more-courageous-to-be-cowardly/) [Norman Reilly Raine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-reilly-raine/) > [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 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/) > [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’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/) > [To exercise power costs effort and demands courage. That is why so many fail to assert rights to which they are perfectly entitled -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-exercise-power-costs-effort-and-demands-courage-that-is-why-so/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > ['The Lady's World' should be made the recognized organ for the expression of women's opinions on all subjects of literature, art and modern life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-lady-s-world-should-be-made-the-recognized-organ-for-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Sin is the only real colour-element left in modern life.' 'You really must not say things like that before Dorian, Harry.' 'Before which Dorian?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/sin-is-the-only-real-colour-element-left-in-modern-life-you-really/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## More by Oscar Wilde > [How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/how-else-but-through-a-broken-heart-may-lord-christ-enter-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-books-that-the-world-calls-immoral-are-the-books-that-show-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It is not fair that some men should be happier than others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/bachelors-should-be-heavily-taxed-it-is-not-fair-that-some-men-should/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Who, being loved, is poor?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/who-being-loved-is-poor/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Basil my dear boy puts everything that is charming in him into his work. The consequence is that he has nothing left for life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/basil-my-dear-boy-puts-everything-that-is-charming-in-him-into-his/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Anybody can be good in the country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/anybody-can-be-good-in-the-country/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I don't at all like knowing what people say of me behind my back. It makes me far too conceited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-don-t-at-all-like-knowing-what-people-say-of-me-behind-my-back-it/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Alles Populäre ist falsch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/alles-popul-re-ist-falsch/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“If these elements of beauty are real, the whole thing simply appeals to our sense of dramatic effect. Suddenly we find that we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/if-these-elements-of-beauty-are-real-the-whole-thing-simply-appeals/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [To love one's self is the beginning of a life-long romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-love-one-s-self-is-the-beginning-of-a-life-long-romance/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/those-who-find-beautiful-meanings-in-beautiful-things-are-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Men always want to be a womans first love. Women have a more subtle instinct: What they like is to be a mans last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/men-always-want-to-be-a-womans-first-love-women-have-a-more-subtle/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Why is it that at a bachelor's establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/why-is-it-that-at-a-bachelor-s-establishment-the-servants-invariably/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Moderation is a fatal thing. Enough is as bad as a meal. More than enough is as good as a feast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/moderation-is-a-fatal-thing-enough-is-as-bad-as-a-meal-more-than/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Beauty is the only thing that time cannot harm. Philosophies fall away like sand, creeds follow one another, but what is beautiful is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/beauty-is-the-only-thing-that-time-cannot-harm-philosophies-fall-away/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) [Explore all 3,343 Oscar Wilde quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## More Coward quotes > [Only a coward will use a gun to protect and get respect for themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-jal/only-a-coward-will-use-a-gun-to-protect-and-get-respect-for-themselves/) [Emmanuel Jal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-jal/) > [“The Coward will run away from danger, only to strike in the dark. The Heroine will run through the dark, even though she knows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-cleinman/the-coward-will-run-away-from-danger-only-to-strike-in-the-dark-the/) [David A. Cleinman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-cleinman/) > [“A thousand times a coward and not once a dead man”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suad-amiry/a-thousand-times-a-coward-and-not-once-a-dead-man/) [Suad Amiry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suad-amiry/) > [Boasting and bravado may exist in the breast even of the coward, if he is successful through a mere lucky hit; but a just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/boasting-and-bravado-may-exist-in-the-breast-even-of-the-coward-if-he/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [“It is true that only a coward can be brave, as a man who feels no fear has conquered nothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conn-david-iggulden/it-is-true-that-only-a-coward-can-be-brave-as-a-man-who-feels-no-fear/) [Conn & David Iggulden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conn-david-iggulden/) > [If you're a generous person, when you get money and fame, you're going to be more generous. If you're a sharer, you're going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-harvey/if-you-re-a-generous-person-when-you-get-money-and-fame-you-re-going/) [Steve Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-harvey/) > [Where is the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land as Scotland?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/where-is-the-coward-that-would-not-dare-to-fight-for-such-a-land-as/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“To stand at the very moment when all seems lost is the point of insanity for the coward, but it is the home of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/to-stand-at-the-very-moment-when-all-seems-lost-is-the-point-of/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [My advice to you, if you should ever be in a hold up, is to line up with the cowards and save your bravery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-henry/my-advice-to-you-if-you-should-ever-be-in-a-hold-up-is-to-line-up/) [O. Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-henry/) > [People who keep dogs are cowards who haven't got the guts to bite people themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/people-who-keep-dogs-are-cowards-who-haven-t-got-the-guts-to-bite/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [Is there cowardice with the acknowledgement of fear?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/is-there-cowardice-with-the-acknowledgement-of-fear/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [It is the disease of cowards, who do not have the courage to speak upfront and so talk behind one's back... Watch out against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/it-is-the-disease-of-cowards-who-do-not-have-the-courage-to-speak/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [If our principles are right, why should we be cowards?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretia-mott/if-our-principles-are-right-why-should-we-be-cowards/) [Lucretia Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretia-mott/) > [I found from working on the film that I am a bigot, at times. And that I am also a coward, at times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-howard/i-found-from-working-on-the-film-that-i-am-a-bigot-at-times-and-that/) [Terrence Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-howard/) > [A coward is the kindest animal; 'Tis the most forgiving creature in a fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/a-coward-is-the-kindest-animal-tis-the-most-forgiving-creature-in-a/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) [Browse all 1,331 Coward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coward/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To elope is cowardly; it is running away from danger; and danger has become so rare in modern life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Oscar Wilde" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away-from-danger-and-danger-has/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Coward" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away-from-danger-and-danger-has/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e15/oscar-wilde-16_coward_to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away_3181778.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e15/oscar-wilde-16_coward_to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away_3181778.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e15/oscar-wilde-16_coward_to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away_3181778.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To elope is cowardly; it is running away from danger; and danger has become so rare in modern life.” — Oscar Wilde", "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": "Oscar Wilde", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To elope is cowardly; it is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away-from-danger-and-danger-has/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-elope-is-cowardly-it-is-running-away-from-danger-and-danger-has/#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 } } ] } ```