--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Three sentences were highlighted: I’ve…" description: "\"“Three sentences were highlighted: I’ve been a so-called coward and a so-called hero and there’s not the thickness of a sheet of paper between them. Ma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/881/victoria-danann-35192_cowards_three-sentences-were-highlighted-i-ve-be_157002.jpg" --- # Three sentences were highlighted: I’ve been a so-called… ![“Three sentences were highlighted: I’ve been a so-called coward and a so-called hero and there’s not the thickness of a sheet of paper between them. Maybe cowards and heroes are just ordinary men who, for a split second, do something out of the ordinary. That’s all.” quote by Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/881/victoria-danann-35192_cowards_three-sentences-were-highlighted-i-ve-be_157002.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/881/victoria-danann-35192_cowards_three-sentences-were-highlighted-i-ve-be_157002.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/881/victoria-danann-35192_cowards_three-sentences-were-highlighted-i-ve-be_157002.jpg) > ““Three sentences were highlighted: I’ve been a so-called coward and a so-called hero and there’s not the thickness of a sheet of paper between them. Maybe cowards and heroes are just ordinary men who, for a split second, do something out of the ordinary. That’s all.”” [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Courage and cowardice are separated by a thin line; ordinary people become heroes or cowards in brief, extraordinary moments. **In simple terms:** Heroes and cowards differ by a tiny moment of extraordinary action. Key Takeaway Recognize and act in those split‑second opportunities. Themes courage human nature identity choice Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - everyday decisions - emergency situations - public speaking - sports - military combat Key Concepts psychology heroism moral decision Questions to Reflect On - When have you faced a moment that could define you? - What stops you from acting heroically? A Different Perspective The line can be blurred by fear or social pressure, making heroic action rare. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Called Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-coward-1731785/) [Coward Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coward-called-1731787/) [Cowards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowards/) [Cowards Heroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowards-heroes-859973/) [Maybe Cowards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maybe-cowards-1731786/) ## Related quotes > [Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/life-moves-on-whether-we-act-as-cowards-or-heroes/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“To say that all the men who died on the Titanic were heroes would be as absurd as to say that all who were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filson-young/to-say-that-all-the-men-who-died-on-the-titanic-were-heroes-would-be/) [Filson Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filson-young/) > [Some people are cowards... I think by and large a third of people are villains, a third are cowards, and a third are heroes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/some-people-are-cowards-i-think-by-and-large-a-third-of-people-are/) [Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/) > [“I called you a coward! You're a fucking sheep in wolf's clothing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-bliler/i-called-you-a-coward-you-re-a-fucking-sheep-in-wolf-s-clothing/) [Susan Bliler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-bliler/) > [To be called a coward, I don't think that's fair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-alexander/to-be-called-a-coward-i-don-t-think-that-s-fair/) [Rodney Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-alexander/) > [There's only one man I've called a coward, and that's Brian Doyle-Murray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lipton/there-s-only-one-man-i-ve-called-a-coward-and-that-s-brian-doyle/) [James Lipton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lipton/) > [The mob gets out of hand, runs wild, worse than raging fire, while the man who stands apart is called a coward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/the-mob-gets-out-of-hand-runs-wild-worse-than-raging-fire-while-the/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [“Richard had noticed that events were cowards: they didn't occur singly, but instead they would run in packs and leap out at him all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/richard-had-noticed-that-events-were-cowards-they-didn-t-occur-singly/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and I believe continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/though-this-nation-has-proudly-thought-of-itself-as-an-ethnic-melting/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Artists who say they do not want to mix up in politics are cowards who are not willing to come to terms with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/artists-who-say-they-do-not-want-to-mix-up-in-politics-are-cowards/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places. (p 57)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-world-is-not-fair-and-often-fools-cowards-liars-and-the-selfish/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [There will always be people who will first wait for somebody's comment and then attack them. I'll say they are just cowards. They have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soni-razdan/there-will-always-be-people-who-will-first-wait-for-somebody-s/) [Soni Razdan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soni-razdan/) ## More by Victoria Danann > [“Aye. 'Tis a free country." Monq had come to check on Elora just as she asked that question. "Well, that kind of has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/aye-tis-a-free-country-monq-had-come-to-check-on-elora-just-as-she/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“Great Paddy Shits in the Mornin', Elora! He's a vampire! No' a stray dog!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/great-paddy-shits-in-the-mornin-elora-he-s-a-vampire-no-a-stray-dog/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“Sir Storm, I have decided that you are a god of poetic justice." Baka to Storm”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/sir-storm-i-have-decided-that-you-are-a-god-of-poetic-justice-baka-to/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“She made a sound of frustration that no one else could hear. She’d heard that restraining expression of high emotion creates terminal illness in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/she-made-a-sound-of-frustration-that-no-one-else-could-hear-she-d/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“def leppard lyric from Rock of Ages: It's better to burn out than fade away. This is not a Curt Cobain quote. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/def-leppard-lyric-from-rock-of-ages-it-s-better-to-burn-out-than-fade/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“Elora: "If you bite me, I'll stake you." Baka: "If I bite you, I'll stake myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/elora-if-you-bite-me-i-ll-stake-you-baka-if-i-bite-you-i-ll-stake/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“What is it that you want with me, Baka?” He looked at her in a predatory way that, she sensed, had nothing to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/what-is-it-that-you-want-with-me-baka-he-looked-at-her-in-a-predatory/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“What is this?" she asked, running her hand over the jacket. "Sheepskin." She looked at him with genuine amusement. "So when you wear this,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/what-is-this-she-asked-running-her-hand-over-the-jacket-sheepskin-she/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“He was breathing heavy, but speaking assurances, words of encouragement delivered in short sentences. "Hang in there now. It'll be okay. We're almost there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/he-was-breathing-heavy-but-speaking-assurances-words-of-encouragement/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/if-i-had-a-world-of-my-own-everything-would-be-nonsense-nothing-would-3/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“Why do you not believe you’re the father?” “Because elves and humans can no’ procreate.” As an afterthought, in the interest of clarity, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/why-do-you-not-believe-you-re-the-father-because-elves-and-humans-can/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) > [“Storm gave the gun to Elora so that she could practice the reload. He moved behind her to make sure her form was correct.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-danann/storm-gave-the-gun-to-elora-so-that-she-could-practice-the-reload-he/) [Victoria Danann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) [Explore all 13 Victoria Danann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-danann/) ## More Cowards quotes > [There will always be people who will first wait for somebody's comment and then attack them. I'll say they are just cowards. They have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soni-razdan/there-will-always-be-people-who-will-first-wait-for-somebody-s/) [Soni Razdan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soni-razdan/) > [“The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places. (p 57)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-world-is-not-fair-and-often-fools-cowards-liars-and-the-selfish/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [Artists who say they do not want to mix up in politics are cowards who are not willing to come to terms with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/artists-who-say-they-do-not-want-to-mix-up-in-politics-are-cowards/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and I believe continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/though-this-nation-has-proudly-thought-of-itself-as-an-ethnic-melting/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [“Richard had noticed that events were cowards: they didn't occur singly, but instead they would run in packs and leap out at him all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/richard-had-noticed-that-events-were-cowards-they-didn-t-occur-singly/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [No police or military in the world can protect people who are cowards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-police-or-military-in-the-world-can-protect-people-who-are-cowards/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“I can only miss the true and I can only mourn the brave. Cowards make it easy to let go because you're not losing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-lynn-hope/i-can-only-miss-the-true-and-i-can-only-mourn-the-brave-cowards-make/) [Donna Lynn Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-lynn-hope/) > [Of two cowards, the one who finds the other out first has the advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italian-proverb/of-two-cowards-the-one-who-finds-the-other-out-first-has-the-advantage/) [Italian Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italian-proverb/) > [“People cling to their rotten memories, to all their misfortunes, and you can't pry them loose. These things keep them busy. They avenge themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-ferdinand-celine/people-cling-to-their-rotten-memories-to-all-their-misfortunes-and/) [Louis-Ferdinand Céline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-ferdinand-celine/) > [Haters are cowards. When confronted they often back down. We must resist haters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-reno/haters-are-cowards-when-confronted-they-often-back-down-we-must/) [Janet Reno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-reno/) > [“Men are such cowards. They outrage every law of the world, and are afraid of the world’s tongue.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/men-are-such-cowards-they-outrage-every-law-of-the-world-and-are/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Newspapers are a great place for cowards and malcontents to have their say.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-shaara/newspapers-are-a-great-place-for-cowards-and-malcontents-to-have/) [Jeff Shaara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-shaara/) [Browse all 417 Cowards quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowards/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Three sentences were highlighted: I’ve been a so-called coward and a so-called hero and there’s not the thickness of a sheet of paper between them. Maybe cowards and heroes are just ordinary men who, for a split second, do something out of the ordinary. 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