Feast of Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, Visionary, 1179 Seducers we, they say; but they lead men astray. Oh, what a noble seduction ours, that men should change from dissolute to sober livingâor towards it; to justice from injusticeâor tending that way; to wisdom from being foolishâor becoming such; and from cowardice, meanness and timidity, show courage and fortitude, not least in this struggle for the sake of our religion.
A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort.
Every recreant who proved his timidity in the hour of danger, was afterwards boldest in words and tongue. [Lat., Ignavissimus quisque, et ut res docuit, in periculo non ausurus, nimis verbis et lingua feroces.]
We fail far more often by timidity than by over-daring.