--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Alas! For shame,\" said Sir Launcelot…" description: "\"“Alas! For shame,\" said Sir Launcelot, \"that ever one knight should betray another! But it is an old saw, a good man is never in danger, but when he is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/thomas-bulfinch-26269_betray_alas-for-shame-said-sir-launcelot-that-e_275365.jpg" --- # Alas! For shame," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever one… ![“Alas! For shame," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever one knight should betray another! But it is an old saw, a good man is never in danger, but when he is in danger of a coward.” quote by Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/thomas-bulfinch-26269_betray_alas-for-shame-said-sir-launcelot-that-e_275365.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/thomas-bulfinch-26269_betray_alas-for-shame-said-sir-launcelot-that-e_275365.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/thomas-bulfinch-26269_betray_alas-for-shame-said-sir-launcelot-that-e_275365.jpg) > ““Alas! For shame," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever one knight should betray another! But it is an old saw, a good man is never in danger, but when he is in danger of a coward.”” [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A good person is safe until danger forces them to confront cowardice, revealing betrayal can arise even among allies. **In simple terms:** Good people stay safe until danger shows cowardice. Key Takeaway Recognize and confront hidden cowardice. Themes trust betrayal courage danger honor Mood reflective serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - leadership decisions - team dynamics - personal relationships - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts morality human nature conflict Questions to Reflect On - How do you distinguish bravery from cowardice? - When should loyalty be questioned? A Different Perspective Even the virtuous can be compromised when fear dominates. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) ## Related quotes > [Friends can betray you, but with an old enemy, you always know where you stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-e-feist/friends-can-betray-you-but-with-an-old-enemy-you-always-know-where/) [Raymond E. Feist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-e-feist/) > [A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-richter/a-timid-person-is-frightened-before-a-danger-a-coward-during-the-time-2/) [Jean Paul Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-richter/) > [A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul/a-timid-person-is-frightened-before-a-danger-a-coward-during-the-time/) [Jean Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul/) > [“People who chase money without chasing any good reason for it are always brought down by the money they chase. Yes! If God gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/people-who-chase-money-without-chasing-any-good-reason-for-it-are/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Indifference must be a crime in us, to be ranked but one degree below treachery; for deserting the commonwealth is next to betraying it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/indifference-must-be-a-crime-in-us-to-be-ranked-but-one-degree-below/) [Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/) > [Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can't ensure, who may stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/waking-up-every-day-and-loving-someone-who-may-or-may-not-love-us/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“Sarai, you never know who might betray you until it’s too late.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-redmerski/sarai-you-never-know-who-might-betray-you-until-it-s-too-late/) [J.A. Redmerski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-redmerski/) > [One day you and I will have to have a little talk about this business called love. I still don't understand what it's all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/one-day-you-and-i-will-have-to-have-a-little-talk-about-this-business/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/now-the-brother-shall-betray-the-brother-to-death-and-the-father-the/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Stop holding onto people that treat you like crap. 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A soul which knows that it is loved, but does not itself love, betrays its sediment: its dregs come up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/79-a-soul-which-knows-that-it-is-loved-but-does-not-itself-love/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“Ash,” Mab crooned as he drew near. “My poor boy. Rowan told me what happened between the two of you, but I know you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ash-mab-crooned-as-he-drew-near-my-poor-boy-rowan-told-me-what/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) ## More by Thomas Bulfinch > [It has, therefore, been a favorite boast of the people of Wales and Cornwall, that the original British stock flourishes in its unmixed purity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/it-has-therefore-been-a-favorite-boast-of-the-people-of-wales-and/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [“(wonderful to relate)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/wonderful-to-relate/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [ON the decline of the Roman power, about five centuries after Christ, the countries of Northern Europe were left almost destitute of a national…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/on-the-decline-of-the-roman-power-about-five-centuries-after-christ/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [The other classes of which society was composed were, first, freemen, owners of small portions of land, independent, though they sometimes voluntarily became the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/the-other-classes-of-which-society-was-composed-were-first-freemen/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [Mail armor continued in general use till about the year 1300, when it was gradually supplanted by plate armor, or suits consisting of pieces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/mail-armor-continued-in-general-use-till-about-the-year-1300-when-it/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [The word knight, which originally meant boy or servant, was particularly applied to a young man after he was admitted to the privilege of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/the-word-knight-which-originally-meant-boy-or-servant-was/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [We thus see that the Greeks of the early ages knew little of any real people except those to the east and south of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/we-thus-see-that-the-greeks-of-the-early-ages-knew-little-of-any-real/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [The word "Chivalry" is derived from the French Cheval, a horse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/the-word-chivalry-is-derived-from-the-french-cheval-a-horse/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [If no other knowledge deserves to be called useful but that which helps to enlarge our possessions or to raise our station in society,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/if-no-other-knowledge-deserves-to-be-called-useful-but-that-which/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [The sunflower is a favorite emblem of constancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/the-sunflower-is-a-favorite-emblem-of-constancy/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [Shields were generally made of wood, covered with leather, or some similar substance. To secure them, in some sort, from being cut through by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/shields-were-generally-made-of-wood-covered-with-leather-or-some/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [“Your arrows may strike all things else, Apollo, but mine shall strike you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/your-arrows-may-strike-all-things-else-apollo-but-mine-shall-strike/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [“So near the track of the stars are we, That oft, on night's pale beams, The distant sounds of their harmony Come to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/so-near-the-track-of-the-stars-are-we-that-oft-on-night-s-pale-beams/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [The earliest form in which romances appear is that of a rude kind of verse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/the-earliest-form-in-which-romances-appear-is-that-of-a-rude-kind-of/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [Religion united its influence with those of loyalty and love, and the order of knighthood, endowed with all the sanctity and religious awe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/religion-united-its-influence-with-those-of-loyalty-and-love-and-the/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) [Explore all 22 Thomas Bulfinch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) ## More Betray quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [“Ash,” Mab crooned as he drew near. “My poor boy. 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We do not betray Marxism - Leninism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enver-hoxha/even-if-we-have-to-go-without-bread-we-albanians-do-not-violate/) [Enver Hoxha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enver-hoxha/) > [Stop holding onto people that treat you like crap. They might be nice sometimes, but the rest of the time they disrespect you and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/stop-holding-onto-people-that-treat-you-like-crap-they-might-be-nice/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/now-the-brother-shall-betray-the-brother-to-death-and-the-father-the/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [One day you and I will have to have a little talk about this business called love. I still don't understand what it's all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/one-day-you-and-i-will-have-to-have-a-little-talk-about-this-business/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [“Sarai, you never know who might betray you until it’s too late.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-redmerski/sarai-you-never-know-who-might-betray-you-until-it-s-too-late/) [J.A. Redmerski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-redmerski/) > [Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can't ensure, who may stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/waking-up-every-day-and-loving-someone-who-may-or-may-not-love-us/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Indifference must be a crime in us, to be ranked but one degree below treachery; for deserting the commonwealth is next to betraying it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/indifference-must-be-a-crime-in-us-to-be-ranked-but-one-degree-below/) [Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/) > [The zombie is in a lot of ways the perfect horror movie bad guy. It plays on so many fears all at once. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gunn/the-zombie-is-in-a-lot-of-ways-the-perfect-horror-movie-bad-guy-it/) [James Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gunn/) > [Books should confuse. Literature abhors the typical. Literature flows to the particular, the mundane, the greasiness of paper, the taste of warm beer, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/books-should-confuse-literature-abhors-the-typical-literature-flows/) [Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/) > [It is up to us to take care of this planet, it is our only home. To betray nature is to betray us. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-ea/it-is-up-to-us-to-take-care-of-this-planet-it-is-our-only-home-to/) [Prince Ea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-ea/) > [In his bleak mercy, Death forever strips The soul of light and memory, rendering blind Our vision, lest surmounted deeps appal, As when on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-ashton-smith/in-his-bleak-mercy-death-forever-strips-the-soul-of-light-and-memory/) [Clark Ashton Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-ashton-smith/) Browse all 966 Betray quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Alas! For shame,\" said Sir Launcelot, \"that ever one knight should betray another! 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