“Being afraid you'll look like a coward is the worst reason for doing anything.”

—  John Irving , book The Cider House Rules

Source: The Cider House Rules

Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "Being afraid you'll look like a coward is the worst reason for doing anything." by John Irving?
John Irving photo
John Irving 97
American novelist and screenwriter 1942

Related quotes

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury photo

“How comes it to pass then, that we appear such Cowards in reasoning, and are so afraid to stand the Test of Ridicule?”

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury (1671–1713) English politician and Earl

Vol. 1, p. 11; "A Letter Concerning Enthusiasm".
Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times (1711)

““Show yourselves,” cried Stephon. “Only cowards hide in the dark.”
“Cowards do many things,” said the voice. “Cowards kill their Commanders and make it look like a bandit attack. Cowards plot in secret. Cowards breed insurrection. Cowards plan the abuse of women.””

Sheri S. Tepper book The Gate to Women's Country

Source: The Gate to Women's Country (1988), Chapter 34 (p. 302)

Jimmy Fallon photo

“Don't Keep reaching for the stars because you'll just look like an idiot stretching that way for no reason”

Jimmy Fallon (1974) American TV Personality
Prevale photo

“If you're looking for the worst people, you'll find them all in church on Sunday mornings.”

Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer

Original: (it) Se cerchi le persone peggiori, le trovi tutte in chiesa la domenica mattina.
Source: prevale.net

Erich Segal photo

“I was afraid of being rejected, yes. I was also afraid of being accepted for the wrong reasons.”

Erich Segal book Love Story

Source: Love Story

Carlos Ruiz Zafón photo

“Don't be afraid of being scared. To be afraid is a sign of common sense. Only complete idiots are not afraid of anything.”

Carlos Ruiz Zafón book The Angel's Game

Source: The Angel's Game

“It’s a terrible thing, being afraid. It’s like an illness; like wanting to fall down, and not being able to faint. You see you never get used to it. You live with it and live with it and every day it’s worse; and one day it’s the worst of all. I thought, when it…happened, I wouldn’t be afraid. But I was wrong….”

Keith Roberts book Pavane

Sixth measure “Corfe Gate” (p. 260)
Pavane (1968)

Joel Barlow photo

“The gazing crowd, of glittering State afraid,
Adore the Power their coward meanness made;
In war's short intervals, while regal shows
Still blind their reason and insult their woes.”

Joel Barlow (1754–1812) American diplomat

The Conspiracy of Kings (1792)

Ray Bradbury photo

“I feel I'm doing what I should've done a lifetime ago.
For a little while I'm not afraid.
Maybe it's because I'm doing the right thing at last.
Maybe it's because I've done a rash thing and don't want to look the coward to you.”

Ray Bradbury book Fahrenheit 451

Source: Fahrenheit 451

Stephen Colbert photo

“Do you know what I like about comedy? You can’t laugh and be afraid at the same time—of anything. If you're laughing, I defy you to be afraid.”

Stephen Colbert (1964) American political satirist, writer, comedian, television host, and actor

Parade interview http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_09-23-2007/AStephen_Colbert (23 September 2007)
Variant: You can’t laugh and be afraid at the same time—of anything. If you're laughing, I defy you to be afraid.
Context: Not living in fear is a great gift, because certainly these days we do it so much. And do you know what I like about comedy? You can’t laugh and be afraid at the same time—of anything. If you're laughing, I defy you to be afraid.

Related topics