Book 3
7
Of the characters that run to excess, on the other hand, he who exceeds in fearlessness has no name (this, as we remarked before,2.7.2. is the case with many qualities), but we should call a man mad, or else insensitive to pain, if he feared nothing, earthquake nor billows,Apparently a verse quotation. Cf. Aristot. Eud. Eth. 1229b 28, As the Kelts take up arms and march against the waves; and Strab. 7.2.1 gives similar stories, partly on the authority of the fourth-century historian Ephorus. An echo survives in Shakespeare’s simile to take arms against a sea of troubles. as they say of the Kelts; he who exceeds in confidence [in the face of fearful thingsThese words seem to be an interpolation: confidence is shown in face of θαρραλέα, not φοβερά.] is rash.
8
The rash man is generally thought to be an impostor, who pretends to courage which he does not possess; at least, he wishes to appear to feel towards fearful things as the courageous man actually does feel, and therefore he imitates him in the things in which he can.i.e., ἐν τοῖς θαρραλέοις, in situations not really formidable.
9
Hence most rash men really are cowards at heart, for they make a bold show in situations that inspire confidence, but do not endure terrors.
10
He that exceeds in fearFor symmetry this should have been he that is deficient in fearlessness. is a coward, for he fears the wrong things, and in the wrong manner, and soon with the rest of the list. He is also deficient in confidence; but his excessive fear in face of pain is more apparent.
11
The coward is therefore a despondent person, being afraid of everything; but the courageous man is just the opposite, for confidence belongs to a sanguine temperament.
