Cowardice Quote by William Butler Yeats
““O cowardly amd tyrannous race of monks, persecutors of the bard, and the gleemen, haters of life and joy! O race that does not draw the sword and tell the truth! O race that melts the bones of the people with cowardice and with deceit! ("The Crucifixion Of The Outcast")””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Crucifixion Of The Outcast, 1913
The poet condemns a society that suppresses truth, joy, and courage, likening it to a cowardly, deceitful race.
In simple terms: Society silences truth and joy; it is cowardly.
Key Takeaway
Stand up for truth and joy.
Themes
art
politics
morality
Mood
passionate
defiant
Type
literary
political
When to use this quote
- activism
- creative expression
- social critique
Key Concepts
censorship
cowardice
truth‑telling
Questions to Reflect On
- What fuels the poet’s anger?
- How can we foster courage in society?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue tradition preserves order.
![“[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)
