Coward Quote by Walter M. Miller Jr
““Could a man decide, 'I am right, and everyone else is wrong?' No evidence of a malfunction, he thought. I am not a coward. Neither am I insane. His heart cried, 'I am disgusted with this purposeless war. I shall quit fighting it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller Jr., 1959
A man questions his moral stance in war, feeling disgusted yet uncertain, and decides to quit fighting despite no clear evidence of insanity.
In simple terms: He doubts his rightness in war and chooses to quit.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and act on conscience.
Themes
war
morality
conscience
disillusionment
personal integrity
Mood
reflective
critical
defiant
Type
literary
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- military service
- activism
- personal protest
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
ethical dilemma
psychology of conflict
moral courage
Questions to Reflect On
- What causes you to question a collective cause?
- How can you act on moral doubts responsibly?
A Different Perspective
Societal pressure may make quitting difficult.
![“Oh, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Slaying a villain in the service of your king is the stuff of legends and what heroes are made of." [Fanen told Myron] "It didn't feel very heroic. It made me sick. I don't even know why I... no, that's a lie. I really have to stop doing that." [Myron said]…” quote by Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9eb/michael-j-sullivan-3113_accept-yourself_oh-it-s-nothing-to-be-ashamed-of-slaying_917595.jpg)
