Man, like any living creature, is subject to fear. This is a completely normal phenomenon, in which the instinct of self-preservation is reflected. But only in life there are circumstances that require a person to overcome this fear, that is, suppression of the primitive instinct in itself. Such a task is not at all easy, therefore it is not surprising that people show cowardice. This concept will be considered today.
What does cowardice mean?
Shyness is a person’s behavior in a certain situation, when he refuses to make decisions or actively act because of fear or other phobias. Cowardy, without a doubt, is driven by fear, and this concept must be distinguished from caution or prudence. Once V. Rumyantsev noted that cowardice is an escape from a possible danger without its preliminary adequate assessment.
In psychology, cowardice is considered a negative quality. This is mental weakness, which does not allow you to perform proper actions.
Understanding cowardice by Theophrastus
The ancient Greek philosopher Theofrast said that cowardice is a mental weakness that does not allow a person to resist his fear. A cowardly man can easily take rock cliffs as pirate ships or prepare for death as soon as the waves begin to rise. If a coward suddenly gets to war, then at the sight of how his comrades are dying, he will probably pretend that he has forgotten his weapon and will return to the camp. There, the coward will hide the sword away and will represent an intensified search. He will do everything so as not to fight enemies. Even if one of his comrades is injured, he will take care of him, but when the soldiers start returning from the battlefield, there is no doubt that the coward will run out to meet them, all is smeared with the blood of his comrade and will tell that he personally carried him out infernal battle.
Here is such a striking example of cowardice Feofrast leads, trying to uncover the essence of this concept. But no matter, now or thousands of years ago, human nature has remained unchanged - cowards behave the same.
Cowardice and courage
The feeling of fear is known to all people. There has never been, never is and never will be a person who is not afraid of anything. Here are just some in the face of danger retreat, while others break themselves and go towards their fear. Such people are called courageous. But if a person did not do so, and after a while others compel him to take a specific action, then without a doubt, he will receive the nickname of a coward. Inability and unwillingness to cope with their fears will forever put a corresponding mark on a person.
To overcome cowardice is not easy. Gaining courage, showing courage - every person is potentially capable of such actions, but if cowardice is already firmly rooted in him, he becomes her helpless slave. Shyness does everything in order not to manifest itself; it is an imperceptible shadow with tremendous destructive power.
One can recall many examples of cowardice: a friend did not intercede for a comrade because he was afraid of a fight; man does not change hated work, fearing to lose stability; or a soldier fleeing the battlefield. Cowardice has many guises hidden behind the rules.
Hell dante
In the Dante guide to the afterlife, a classic description of cowards is given. Faceless souls crowded on the threshold of the Underworld, once they were people struck by cowardice. These are indifferent onlookers at the feast of life, they did not know either glory or shame, and the world should not remember them.
If a person, falling into a dangerous situation, thinks exclusively of flight, while ignoring the voice of reason, he is struck by cowardice. Cowardice always chooses what is convenient and safe. Not to solve a problem, but to hide from it is the basis on which the concept of cowardice is based.
Effects
To hide from life's problems and making decisions, cowardice finds detente in entertainment. Hiding behind a series of endless revels, watching funny videos, cowardice constantly accumulates the number of unpleasant situations requiring resolution. So what does cowardice lead to?
If it has already become a manifestation of personality, then we can confidently say that such a person is not capable of courage or selflessness. He becomes timid and timid, and yet his conscience is forever silent. Only the insane do not feel fear. Avoiding danger is a sensible act, but running away from a specific problem is cowardice.
A coward will think ten thousand times before deciding. His motto is: “No matter what happens.” Following this principle, a person turns into a real egoist who does everything possible to hide from the threats of the outside world. Cowardice is closed in its loneliness, and the frightened ego, which is most important for its own safety, is ready to go to any meanness. So betrayal is born. Together with cowardice, any human vice takes on a hypertrophied appearance: a fool turns into an incorrigible dumbass, a false one becomes a slanderer. This is what cowardice leads to.
Terrible vice
Most cowardly people are cruel. They ridicule the weak, thereby trying to hide from the public their "fearful ailment." Accumulated anger and resentment coward spills on the victim. Cowardice robs a person of the ability to reason sensibly. The brutal killings that even experienced criminologists throw in a cold sweat are most often committed under the influence of fear. That is why cowardice is the most terrible vice.
Because of his excessive timidity, a person can live a lifetime without knowing what he was capable of. Everyone has the potential of a brave man, but refusing to make decisions or take the necessary actions, a person gradually turns into a miserable coward. Fear is not a sin, it reveals human weaknesses that can be quite successfully dealt with, but cowardice is already a vice that cannot be justified.