A Symbol of Cowardice
The white feather as a symbol of cowardice supposedly comes from cockfighting and the belief that a cockerel sporting a white feather in its tail is likely to be a poor fighter. Pure-breed gamecocks do not show white feathers, so its presence indicates that the cockerel is an inferior cross-breed.
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Famous quotes containing the words symbol and/or cowardice:
“The truth has never been of any real value to any human beingit is a symbol for mathematicians and philosophers to pursue. In human relations kindness and lies are worth a thousand truths.”
—Graham Greene (19041991)
“It is from cowardice and not from want of enlightenment that we do not read in our own hearts.”
—Stendhal [Marie Henri Beyle] (17831842)
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