The direction is “courage and cowardice. Cowardice is a cowardly coward. Cowardice makes a person morally weak.

In this article we will consider such a concept as cowardice. Let us give examples and examine in detail the meaning of this word. Writers often address this issue. Using literary works as an example, we will give examples of cowardice in various situations. Let's analyze the behavior and actions of literary characters. So, let's begin. What is cowardice?

Definition of this term

The concept of “cowardice” is understood as a person’s refusal to take any action or deed in a certain situation, the reason for which is fear. Such human behavior is considered a negative character trait. The word "cowardice" comes from the noun coward (in the Proto-Slavic language it means "one who shakes"). The words coward or cowardly are also its derivatives.

The main cause of cowardice is fear. It should not be confused with caution and must be distinguished from excessive caution. Caution is a human quality that means a particularly attentive attitude, increased vigilance. This is the ability to think several steps ahead, anticipating the consequences of your actions and the possible reactions of people. After all, the goal of caution is the successful implementation of planned plans, which is fundamentally inconsistent with cowardice.

How else can one determine what a causeless flight from some perceived danger is without an adequate assessment of the latter?

Manifestation of cowardice. Examples

It should be remembered that fear itself is a natural defensive reaction for a living creature. This is an instinct of self-preservation. But given many circumstances, it often takes strength to overcome fear. In many cases a person is able to overcome this feeling, but in some circumstances he is not.

An example is a case where the same person is afraid of heights, but will not be afraid to engage in single combat with a group of notorious scoundrels. Or, for example, showing cowardice in front of a boss, the same person will not be afraid to jump out of a plane with a parachute.

So what is cowardice? Mental weakness that prevents you from doing what needs to be done in the face of fear. It is important to be able to distinguish a coward from a normal person who is afraid of something. After all, not everyone should be considered as such if for some reason he experiences such a feeling. Since a coward is not capable of responsible actions at the right time, he is therefore inclined to commit a crime because of his fear. Therefore, a coward is considered a potential traitor who is capable of setting him up, slandering him, and throwing him into danger.

A normal person experiences a feeling of fear. But he is able to take his fear under control and will not commit a crime. A coward is like an animal that, driven by fear, is incapable of the thought process, and does everything just to save its precious skin. Therefore, cowardice is always despised. This is a shameful quality of a person that only causes disgust.

“Fathers and Sons”, “Garnet Bracelet”. Reckless courage and desperate cowardice

Writers often address this topic. You can find many examples of this in the literature. Let's take a look at some of them. Everyone knows Turgenev’s work “Fathers and Sons” from school. Using the example of Bazarov’s character, let’s consider the situation. The duel that took place, the reason for which was a kiss, describes the behavior and state of the heroes, for whom honor is not an empty phrase. Overcoming fear, the heroes defend their beliefs, although one kiss should not endanger a person’s life. Desperate cowardice and reckless courage became counterbalances

There is another remarkable example of cowardice in Kuprin’s work “The Garnet Bracelet”. The hero of the story is a petty official who is selflessly in love with a woman. But the fear of rejection prevents him from opening up to her. The heroine, in turn, fearing shocks in love and preferring a calm marriage, makes a choice in favor of another man. And only after the death of the man in love with her, she realizes that the true love in her life has passed her by.

"War and Peace". Cowardice and valor. Victory over yourself

What is cowardice? The opposite of courage and bravery. Trained courage, first of all, is victory over your fears, in other words, victory over yourself.

As an example, we can cite the character of the novel L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace" Nikolai Rostov, who during his first battle experienced a feeling of fear, could not overcome the cowardice that consumed him and fled from the enemy. In the future, he will be able to overcome cowardice in himself and act like a real brave man, defending his homeland from the oppression of the enemy.

"Eugene Onegin". Public opinion

The beloved work of the brilliant Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, which we all love, describes a similar situation in which the main one finds himself. He receives a challenge to a duel from Vladimir Lensky, towards whom he does not feel any hostility, but, fearing condemnation from society, accepts the challenge. For fear of being branded a coward, Onegin becomes one.

The meaning of the word “cowardice” in this situation can be represented as the inability to do the right thing under fear of public opinion. In contrast, we can use as an example the act of Tatyana Larina, who, unafraid of the opinion of society, herself declares her love to Onegin. And years later she again confesses her love to him, but does the right thing, thereby proving that loyalty is not an empty phrase for her.

Quotes. Wisdom of life

An example of cowardice is the quote from Gilbert Keith Chesterton's "The Station Prehistoric," which reads: "Noble men are vertebrates: they are soft above, but deep down they are hard. Mollusks are the modern cowards: they are hard on the outside, but soft on the inside.”

Or this wise quote from L.N. Tolstoy: “A cowardly friend is more terrible than an enemy, for you fear the enemy, but rely on your friend.” on this occasion, he once said the following words: “A person can find any reason to justify his actions, except for one, and for his crimes he also finds any justification, except for one, for his safety - any reason, except for one, and that one is his cowardice.”

There is another very beautiful saying that I would like to cite here as an example: “A warrior dies once and always with dignity, but a coward dies thousands of times, every time he is afraid, and he always dies like a cowardly jackal.”

Synonyms. Meaning and examples

First of all, it should be noted that synonyms are words that are distinguishable by spelling and sound, but belong to the same part of speech and have a similar lexical meaning. In our case, the words timidity, fearfulness, and indecision can be considered synonyms for the word cowardice. The line between all these words is quite thin. To understand whether you are a coward or not, you need to get into an extreme situation. And if, overcoming your fear, you are able to move forward for some good purpose, you are not a coward, but a worthy person. Today it has been proven that fear can be corrected. A coward can be rehabilitated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, to summarize what has been said, I would like to note the following point: what is cowardice and how to get rid of this vice? Cowardice is mental weakness, betrayal. First of all, you need to learn to control yourself and subjugate your fear with the help of your mind and will. Choose the right mindset and keep your fear in tight control. Until he becomes your slave, your servant. Replace fear with such a quality as courage, which is inherent in the best sons of humanity: warriors, knights, officers and simply worthy people.

Cowardice is the inability to act during a period of real (or perceived as real) threat, criminal weakness or activity during a period of inability to control one’s fear.

Fear is a normal reaction of the body to a threat to the functioning and integrity of the body. It always exists and is found in all people with intact psyche and full development.

However, we all struggle with it both in everyday and extreme situations. We may be afraid to meet the parents of our chosen one, go up in a transparent elevator, and go ask for a promotion from the manager, or we may be afraid to go into battle, realizing the real threat to our lives. But we pull ourselves together and don’t retreat. But some retreat and run away. This is called cowardice.

Sometimes they don’t just “give up”, but are ready to do anything, consciously or not. And it’s one thing when we turn aside in front of the boss’s office. Well, we’ll still sit in a low-paid position. And it’s a completely different matter when, for the sake of personal salvation, cowards are ready to shoot their captured comrades, drown women and children, removing their life jackets during a shipwreck. Therefore, there is always a negative attitude towards cowardice and it is assessed as “criminal” activity or inactivity. From here the differences between fear and cowardice can be clearly seen.

The difference between fear and cowardice

There are several main differences between fear and cowardice.

1. Fear is the body’s reaction to a threat, and cowardice is always an act (and passivity is also an act).
2. This is where the next concept comes from: cowardice is always associated with the volitional determination of activity, or rather its lack.
3. Cowardice is associated with deep personal attitudes that are formed by each individual and are influenced by many factors. Thus, the mentioned concept is influenced by all the relationships that were laid down for the child, his moral dogmas, the ability to make decisions, a sense of responsibility, in general, the development of his personality from the psychological side. Therefore, some people will prefer to give up their lives if the life of a child is put on the scales; while others absorbed the attitude that children are not of great value and will calmly prefer their own benefit in an extreme situation.

Therefore, from these differences, the causes of cowardice can be clearly deduced.

Causes of cowardice

So, based on the above, let's take a closer look at the reasons for the formation of cowardice and give relevant examples.

How to deal with cowardice?

Let's divide this point into two large parts: in-depth study of oneself and situational principles of combating “attacks of cowardice.”

If we are ready to study the problem in depth, we look at all possible points that could lead to the formation of this way of responding to the situation:

Situational principles of struggle are also aimed at developing self-control. These include breathing exercises that reduce feelings of tension and readiness for impulsive actions; and express methods that allow you to concentrate on an important motive; and, finally, methods that allow you to “create” “helpers” for yourself or find internal reserves so as not to chicken out.

How to avoid acting like a coward in a difficult situation? How far can cowardice lead? At first glance, these questions seem simple. For some people, they are not questions at all, they do not face them. The answers to them seem self-evident.

This text is devoted to the problem of human cowardice. And what could be the result if a person listens to this weak side of his personality.

The author reveals the problem posed using the example of Pontius Pilate and Yeshua Ha-Nozri. The procurator of Judea, fearing Caesar and not wanting to sacrifice his position and status, condemns an innocent person to death. But the hegemon is tormented by his conscience; he sees Yeshua in a dream, who says: “cowardice is undoubtedly one of the most terrible vices.” Pontius Pilate, unfortunately, only now understands that now he “will do anything to save a completely innocent, insane dreamer and doctor from execution!”

Excessive cowardice will never lead to anything good.

Many classics of Russian literature raise the problem of cowardice in their works. A. S. Pushkin, who wrote the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin,” was no exception. There is a very significant episode in the novel where Onegin, out of fear of being condemned by secular society, goes out to duel with his close friend, Vladimir Lensky. As a result, he kills him and curses himself all his life for his cowardice.

This problem also worried such Russian writers as M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin. In his fairy tale “The Wise Minnow,” he talks about how constant cowardice can affect life. The gudgeon's parents bequeathed him to live with both eyes open.

The gudgeon realized that trouble threatened him from everywhere. He dug out a hole for himself, into which only he could fit, and spent his whole life there, afraid and trembling. Too late he realized that if everyone lived like him, the minnows would disappear and that he was not wise at all, but, as the fish say, a dunce who eats nothing and is afraid of everything. In the end, the gudgeon disappears to an unknown destination: after all, no one needs him, dying, and even wise. All his life he was afraid and trembled in his hole, as a result he lived a useless life and no one felt warm or cold from him.

Thus, I can conclude that cowardice is a bad quality of a person, which can often cause an undesirable outcome. You need to get rid of cowardice by eradicating it in yourself. Such a deficiency does not lead to anything good.

Cowardice is a human weakness that arises at a crucial moment. A coward is afraid of difficulties, of making decisions on his own, and sometimes even hopes for help from a brave person. Cowardice betrays a person: his eyes widen in fear, his mind turns off from the responsibility that falls on his shoulders. This behavior is formed in the subconscious and is very difficult to control, especially if a coward has already shown himself.

There are many examples in literature about courage, but also many about cowardice. By endowing the characters with such a quality, the author wanted to show how ugly and shameful it is to be a coward, and, most importantly, useless to society.

The main character of the poem “Eugene Onegin” has cowardice in character. He agreed to a duel, although he could have refused, but then society ceased to respect him, and to him, as a secular person, their opinion was important. Just an opinion, not everyone's position. Onegin's cowardice lies in the fact that he did not want to admit his weakness, he wanted to be ideal for everyone, which ended sadly for him.

The novel of centuries and generations “War and Peace” also reflects cowardice. A striking example is the behavior of Zherkov, who was given the order to tell his colleagues to retreat from the left front. He was afraid to cross the combat territory, he was afraid that he might die. He was sent there twice, and both times he did not fulfill the general's instructions. The consequences of his cowardice were terrible: many companies did not know what to do and rushed into chaos, thereby being overtaken by the enemy. Because of the cowardice of one person, hundreds, if not thousands, suffered. In this example, cowardice played an important role; it took the lives of innocent soldiers.

Thus, cowardice in any of its manifestations does not bring good, and sometimes leads to death. A cowardly person is insecure, selfish, unable to overcome his fear, even if the price of his action is another human life. There is not a single case when cowardice helped a person in life. Maybe the instinct of self-preservation kicks in, but you should never forget about the consequences.

Pretending self-confidence and courage can only be a shell, but inside there is a little coward, afraid of his own shadow, not to mention vital actions. It is better not to have a relationship with such people, because a coward will give himself away and abandon you at the most inopportune moment, when you really need help.

What is cowardice? Self-preservation instinct or vice? What feelings does a person experience who has deviated from generally accepted moral norms and committed an act of which he is ashamed in the future? It is these questions that F.A. Vigdorova ponders.

The author raises the problem of cowardice in his text. The writer illustrates the relevance of this problem. To do this, she quotes the Decembrist poet Ryleev, who wrote that “we are not afraid to die on the battlefields, but we are afraid to say a word in favor of justice.” The author is surprised how many actions people sometimes fail to commit precisely under the influence of momentary cowardice. Examples of such behavior are contained in sentences 16–24 of the text. The worst thing, according to the journalist, is to experience cowardice and betrayal in everyday life. A broken window, an accidental loss of something, or a perceived injustice... How scary it is sometimes to make a confession about even a minor offense!

It is impossible not to agree with the opinion of F. Vigdorova. To make a truthful confession, you need to be a brave and strong person. We are well aware of examples from A.S. Pushkin’s story “The Captain’s Daughter”. Shvabrin, throughout almost the entire work, commits cowardly acts: he lies, dodges, becomes a traitor, caring only about his own good. Pyotr Grinev, on the contrary, maintains dignity in any circumstances. So, the main character, risking his life, declares that he will not swear allegiance to Pugachev.

We see another evidence of cowardice in the novel by M.Yu. Lermontov "Hero of Our Time". Grushnitsky, shooting with Pechorin, knew perfectly well that the latter did not have a loaded pistol, but, nevertheless, he shot at a practically unarmed man. Fate cruelly punished the meanness of the young man killed in this duel... Perhaps Lermontov wanted to express his position on this issue in this way. Cowardice is the quality of a scoundrel, unworthy to live.

Cowardice and betrayal always went hand in hand. I believe that we cannot be cowardly without committing betrayal towards those around us. Perhaps someone justifies their cowardice, but the mental trauma, the pain from the cowardly behavior of friends or those whom we considered friends, will be quite strong and will remain in the soul for a long time.

Cowardice, and after it betrayal, not only destroys relationships between people, but also destroys the person himself. And Frida Abramovna Vigdorova is a thousand times right when she asserts in the final lines of the text that there is only one courage. It has no plural, while cowardice has many faces.

Teacher's comment:

An essay about cowardice and betrayal is easy to write for an adult. Based on your life experience, it is easier to distinguish between good and evil. How can a schoolchild who has only a short period of life behind him, and still has everything ahead, cope with this? How to find in the text the problem that he will write about?

You can determine the topic by asking: what is the text about? And highlight the problem that you will discuss. She must be alone. Several of them may be reflected in the text.

In the control version, the author clearly calls things by their proper names, so there cannot be any difficulties with choosing definitions. We can advise you this: decide what you will discuss - cowardice and betrayal or courage.

When you work on your essay, don't be shy about writing emotionally. Let your emotional impulses be reflected on paper. Because it is impossible to write about cowardice and betrayal in dry language. But don’t get carried away with excessive expression, don’t use big words. The essay is not a letter to your best friend, but a journalistic document.

If you can't focus on examples from life, remember the literature. You can find many examples on this topic in works of art. And be sure to make a plan, determine in what sequence you will write.

Source text for writing an essay:

(1) I knew a wonderful writer. (2) Her name was Tamara Grigorievna Gabbe. (3) She told me once:

– There are many challenges in life. (4) You can’t list them. (5) But here are three, they occur often. (6) The first is the test of need. (7) Second - prosperity, glory. (8) And the third test is fear. (9) And not only with the fear that a person recognizes in war, but with the fear that overtakes him in ordinary, peaceful life.

(10) What kind of fear is this that does not threaten either death or injury? (11) Isn’t he a fiction? (12) No, it’s not fiction. (13) Fear has many faces, sometimes it affects the fearless.

(14) “It’s an amazing thing,” wrote the Decembrist poet Ryleev, “we are not afraid to die on the battlefields, but we are afraid to say a word in favor of justice.”

(15) Many years have passed since these words were written, but there are persistent illnesses of the soul.

(16) The man went through the war as a hero. (17) He went on reconnaissance, where every step threatened him with death. (18) He fought in the air and under water, he did not run from danger, he fearlessly walked towards it. (19) And now the war is over, the man returned home. (20) To my family, to my peaceful work. (21) He worked as well as he fought: with passion, giving all his strength, not sparing his health. (22) But when, due to the libel of a slanderer, his friend, a man whom he knew as himself, of whose innocence he was convinced as his own, was removed from work, he did not stand up. (23) He, who was not afraid of bullets or tanks, was scared. (24) He was not afraid of death on the battlefield, but was afraid to say a word in favor of justice.

(25) The boy broke the glass.

- (26) Who did this? - asks the teacher.

(27) The boy is silent. (28) He is not afraid to ski down the most dizzying mountain. (29) He is not afraid to swim across an unfamiliar river full of treacherous funnels. (30) But he is afraid to say: “I broke the glass.”

(31) What is he afraid of? (32) Flying down the mountain, he can break his neck. (33) Swimming across the river, you can drown. (34) The words “I did it” do not threaten him with death. (35) Why is he afraid to say them?

(36) I heard a very brave man who went through the war once say: “It was scary, very scary.”

(37) He spoke the truth: he was scared. (38) But he knew how to overcome his fear and did what his duty told him to do: he fought.

(39) In peaceful life, of course, it can also be scary.

(40) I’ll tell the truth, but I’ll be expelled from school for it... (41) If I tell the truth, I’ll be fired from my job... (42) I’d rather remain silent.

(43) There are many proverbs in the world that justify silence, and perhaps the most expressive: “My hut is on the edge.” (44) But there are no huts that would be on the edge.

(45) We are all responsible for what is happening around us. (46) Responsible for all the bad and all the good. (47) And one should not think that a real test comes to a person only in some special, fatal moments: in war, during some kind of catastrophe. (48) No, not only in exceptional circumstances, not only in the hour of mortal danger, human courage is tested under a bullet. (49) It is tested constantly, in the most ordinary everyday affairs.

(50) There is only one courage. (51) It requires that a person always be able to overcome the monkey within himself: in battle, on the street, at a meeting. (52) After all, the word “courage” does not have a plural form. (53) It is the same in any conditions.

(According to F.A. Vigdorova*) * Frida Abramovna Vigdorova (1915–1965) - Soviet writer, journalist. (From Open Bank FIPI)

The material was prepared by Larisa Gennadievna Dovgomelya