Cowardice Quote by Thomas Hobbes
“Intemperance is naturally punished with diseases; rashness, with mischance; injustice; with violence of enemies; pride, with ruin; cowardice, with oppression; and rebellion, with slaughter.”
About This Quote
Human vices invite proportional consequences: lack of self‑control leads to illness, impulsivity to accidents, injustice to conflict, pride to downfall, cowardice to subjugation, and rebellion to bloodshed.
In simple terms: Vices bring fitting retribution.
Key Takeaway
Moral actions have natural penalties.
Themes
ethics
consequences
human nature
justice
pride
rebellion
Mood
cautionary
serious
reflective
Type
maxim
warning
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal health decisions
- political leadership
- legal judgments
- military strategy
- social movements
Key Concepts
cause and effect
social order
self‑discipline
Practical Applications
- risk assessment
- ethical education
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal vices affect societal stability?
- Can self‑control mitigate these outcomes?
![“[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)
