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Dirty Coward

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    Anime & Manga 
Nobara Kugisaki: Are you the special grade cursed spirit that's been messing with our idiot?
Mahito: Oh, my, my! Am I really that famous?
Nobara: Yeah, for running away like a little bitch.

    Audio Plays 
"[Sarcastic Clapping] Bravo, Madame Salvadore, bravo! I had no idea that your instinct for self-preservation was so finely-honed."

    Comic Books 
"Trust Macendale to create even greater methods of running away!"
The Kingpin on Jason Macendale Jr aka Hobgoblin IV, Spider-Man

    Fan Works 
Socrates: You'd desert your best friend?
Hobbes: To keep myself safe? You bet. See ya later.

Hago: You can't escape us now.
Zazu: Actually, I could always fly away.
Simba: And leave us behind? You chicken!
Zazu: When things get very serious, I look out for my own best interests. In a situation like this, I find you very irrelevant.
Nala: You are a chicken! You'd leave us to die just so you could save yourself?
Zazu: I'd love to say no, but unfortunately, the answer is yes.
The Lion King Adventures, Zazu's in Charge

    Film — Animated 
Hi. This is Gwendolyn Zapp. If you're calling about the imminent asteroid collision, I've turned my back on Earth and started a new life on Mars. Viva la Mars!
Gwendolyn Zapp's answering message, Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation

"COME BACK HERE, YOU COWARDS!!! DON'T LEAVE!!!"
Hopper to his gang, A Bug's Life

[Mansley has just ordered a nuclear strike on the Iron Giant]
Rogard: That missile is targeted to the Giant's current position! WHERE'S THE GIANT, MANSLEY?!
[Mansley looks back to see the Giant right behind him, and cringes and sucks in air through his teeth as he realizes his foolish mistake]
Mansley: ...W-we could duck and cover! There's a fallout shelter right there. If we can—
Rogard: There's no way to survive this, you idiot!
Mansley: You mean... we're all going t
Rogard: To die, Mansley. For our country.
Mansley: Screw our country! I WANNA LIVE!
[Mansley steals an army jeep and attempts to drive away, but the Giant stops him with his hand, upon which Mansley is surrounded by soldiers]
Rogard: Hold him, men. Make sure he stays here like a "good soldier".

"Ah! Is this a robbery? 'Cause the lady across the hall has way better stuff than me."
Hal Stewart, Megamind

"It wasn't just the money the Drej were offering. It was the health plan that came with it. They'd let me live, provided I kill all of you before they get here. They should be here shortly!"
Preed, Titan A.E.

Creek: I don’t wanna die! Don’t eat me! Eat someone else! Anyone else! Everyone else, but not me!
Chef: But the king wants to be happy now.
Creek: Wait, wait! There must be some other way. I'll do anything.

    Film — Live Action 
Brave Sir Robin ran away.
Bravely ran away away.
When danger reared it's ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.
Swiftly taking to his feet,
He beat a very brave retreat.
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin!

"Johns was like most mercs. They look all stand up and do right, until you cut them open and you find something missing. In his case, a spine."
Riddick, Pitch Black

The Interrogator: Is Kingsman worth dying for?
Charlie Hesketh: No, it fucking isn't! Shit! I'll tell you what you want, please! Chester King's Arthur! Arthur's head of the secret spy agency! It's called Kingsman! Get me out of here!

"Fortune smiles on the brave and spits on the coward."
Don Lope de Aguirre, Aguirre, the Wrath of God

"I'm not gonna take that kind of a chance when we've got a safe place! We lock up into a safe place, and you're telling us that we gotta come up here and risk our lives just because somebody might need help, huh?"

"Look! You two can do whatever you like! I'm going back down to the cellar, and you'd better decide! 'Cause I'm gonna board up that door, and I'm not going to unlock it again no matter what happens!"

"Would it help to confuse it if we run away more?"

[Alfrid is found disguised as a woman in an attempt to avoid going to battle]
Woman: Alfrid Lickspittle! You are a coward.
Alfrid: Coward!? Not every man's brave enough to wear a corset!note 
Woman: You're not a man! You're a weasel.

Scorpio: You tried to kill me!
Harry: If I tried that, your head would be splattered all over this field. Now where's the girl?
[Scorpio starts crying]
Scorpio: I want a lawyer.
Harry: I said where's the girl?
Scorpio: I have the right for a lawyer!
Harry: Where's the girl?
Scorpio: I have the right for a lawyer. Need to go to the doctor, please. I have rights...
[Harry puts pressure on Scorpio's leg wound using his foot]
Scorpio: ...for a LAWYE-E-E-ER!
[Scorpio keeps screaming and crying as Harry tortures him and the camera zooms out]

Carol: He might attack someone!
Barnes: You're right - me!

Cesar: You make up your mind, Carlos. You are with them, or you are with us.
Carlos: Is that loaded?
Cesar: Of course.
Carlos: I am with us.

(After Gustafson's exposed as a plagiarist in front of the constables)
Don Juan Diago: You told me those were your inventions. Did you lie? Are you a thief? Yes. You. Jeronicus, save me!
Jeronicus: I'll take the matador. He's my invention after all.
Don Juan Diago: I am home! Mi rey. I’ve missed you! (feigned affection) I like your hair. Did you do that yourself?

    Literature 
Magwich: Is it my fault I'm a weak-willed traitor at heart?
Jack: Well, that's honest enough.

"Harry, this piece of vermin is the reason you have no parents. This cringing bit of filth would have seen you die, too, without turning a hair. You heard him. His own stinking skin meant more to him than your whole family."
Sirius Black talking about Peter Pettigrew, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

"Kryten was about to ask him where he'd got to, but it would be a pointless question. As soon as Rimmer had seen a fight start, he'd performed his famous impression of a whippet with a sphincter full of dynamite. Kryten had long since ceased to wonder why a man who was already dead could be such a relentless coward."
Red Dwarf: Backwards

"At one time or another we have been able to turn every other sin into a source of pride for humans. We have never yet found a way to make them proud of cowardice. It is horrible to contemplate, horrible to experience and horrible to remember."

I don't lack moral fiber, it just gives me the runs.
Trunk and Disorderly, by Charles Stross

Now Meglin was afeared that even the secret token which Melko had given him would fail in that direful sack, and was minded to help that Ainu to the fulfilment of his promises of safety. No doubt had he however of the death of Tuor in that great burning, for to Salgant he had confided the task of delaying him in the king's halls and egging him straight thence into the deadliest of the fight – but lo! Salgant fell into a terror unto death, and he rode home and lay there now aquake on his bed; but Tuor fared home with the folk of the Wing.

    Live-Action TV 

"She's saving herself. She's a loose cannon. I am telling you, she will turn a gun or a badge on us the first chance she gets. The woman put a hit out on me."
Mike Ehrmantraut on Lydia Rodarte-Quayle, Breaking Bad.

"Cobra Kai is about being badass. And the baddest badass is the one who beats his opponent when he's at his strongest. Not when his back is turned. Not when he's injured! Is that understood? That means no more cheating. No more fighting dirty. From here on out, those are pussy moves, and you don't want to be pussies, do you?"
Johnny Lawrence defying this trope, Cobra Kai, "Mercy Part II"

"Your civilization is one of the oldest in the galaxy; now I see why. Your cowardice isn't quaint, it's sly... aggressive. That’s how that gene of gutlessness has survived while so many others have perished. Well, not today. No one else dies today. Right? Brilliant."
The Doctor, Doctor Who, "The God Complex"

Ohila: [disgusted] He's running away.
General: Where is he running to?
Ohila: Same place he always does: Away. Just... away.
Doctor Who (on the Doctor)

Mark: He thinks we can't hide forever.
Jeremy: He doesn't know us at all, does he?

"You know what I think? I think, that maybe the only reason that you ever wanted Frank dead, was so that you can pretend that he never made you feel like a man about to die."
Billy Russo to William Rawlins, The Punisher (2017)

Rimmer: Shoot him!
Lister: What? In the back?
Rimmer: Of course in the back! It's only a pity he's awake!
Lister: You mean, You could happily kill him if he was asleep?
Rimmer: I could happily kill him if he was on the job, shoot him!

"Know this about me. Like general George S. Patton, I believe in reincarnation. It is my firm conviction that in all my previous lives has been a soldier. A bold warrior soul, who unfortunately in this incarnation, has been given the body of an abject coward. So excuse me gentlemen, while I have a humiliating panic attack underneath the scanner table."
Rimmer, Red Dwarf

Rimmer: The way I see it, we have two options: 1, take it on and kill it, or 2, run away. Who's for 2?
Kryten: Two sounds good to me, sir
Cat: Always been my lucky number.

Hugh: I'm going to take a fucking stand on this one and I'm buggered if I'm going to let you down now. I'm going to go to the PM, and I'm going to tell him straight up, this bill is a load of old bollocks!
Glenn: No, you're not.
Hugh: No, I'm not, but it'd be great if I did, wouldn't it?

(After Kelbo exposed himself as Shakira)
Justin: Wizard rule number one: Thou shall not expose magic to non-wizards. You know what's worse than Kelbo breaking wizard rule number one? Me breaking wizard rule number one. I'm too young to have my hands broken. There's so much I want to build.
Wizards of Waverly Place, "Dude Looks Like Shakira"

    Music 
"I ran away, I ran away
Danger stared me in the face and I ran away
Whenever I was challenged I collapsed like a souffle
But I'm still alive to sing this song 'cause I ran away!"
I Ran Away, The Arrogant Worms

"Go out walkin', just us two
Ain't much in this world I wouldn't do for you
And if a man with a knife said, 'Your money or your life!'
I wouldn't think twice

And I'd stand my ground and not give an inch
Coiled like a spring, I wouldn't even flinch
I would stare into the eyes of that son of a bitch
And this is what I'd say...

Do anything you want to the girl, just don't hurt me!
I might be crazy, but I ain't reckless
She's got a diamond ring, she's got a necklace
Look in her purse, she's got the keys to a Lexus
May I be on my way?

Do anything you want to the girl, just don't hurt me!
What a funny ol' way to measure love
Find out where you stand when push comes to shove
'Cause right now it ain't you that I'm thinkin' of
It's me. It's me. It's me, me, me, me
I LOVE ME!

Do anything you want to the girl, just don't hurt me!
Two's company, but three's a crowd
I was thinkin' maybe we should break up anyhow
I could use some space from you, especially right now
So help yourself, mister. I ain't no hero
Her bank card PIN number is four-one-three-zero!

Do anything you want to the girl, just don't hurt me!
Do anything you want to the girl, just don't hurt me!"
Otis Lee Crenshaw (Rich Hall), "Do Anything You Want to the Girl (Just Don't Hurt Me)"

    Myths & Religion 
"The wicked flee when none pursueth."

    Tabletop Games 
"Better to live in atrocity than to die in glory."
Gix, Magic: The Gathering: The Thran

A tale is told of two Skaven, birthkin from the same breeder. While scouting the woods above their home, they encountered a ravenous Minotaur. Wisely, they fled the beast, but it gave chase and pursued them for many miles.
"Surely," said the first Skaven, panting, "we cannot-cannot-cannot outrun this horrible creature."
The second chittered his agreement. "Nor do we have to," he replied.
Unsure of his birthkin’s motive, the first Skaven asked, "What do you mean?"
By way of response, the second Skaven tripped his companion, answering, "I-I-I only need to outrun you!"
—A fable from the Lessons of the Horned Rat, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay: Children of the Horned Rat — A Guide to Skaven

History is Written by the Winners. Winner is, whoever stays alive.
—Common goblin wisdom in The Dark Eye

    Theatre 
"When, to evade Destruction's hand,
To hide they all proceeded,
No soldier in that gallant band
Hid half as well as he did.
He lay concealed throughout the war,
And so preserved his gore, O!
That unaffected, undetected, well-connected warrior,
The Duke of Plaza-Toro!"
The Duke of Plaza-Toro, The Gondoliers

"They come in force
With stealthy stride.
Our obvious course
Is now to hide!"

    Video Games 
"The man is a coward, Captain Price. Al-Asad would never sacrifice himself."
Nikolai on Khaled Al-Asad, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Ayah: Helicopter!
Farah: It's Barkov!
Darine: The coward is leaving!
Farah: What do you expect from a spineless dog?
Farah Karim to her comrades about General Roman Barkov's act of cowardice, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

Sora: Iago, you're supposed to be our friend, but you've been playing both sides just to make sure you save yourself!
Donald Duck: I knew you were still a bad guy!
Sora and Donald calling out on Iago for betraying their trust, Kingdom Hearts II

Kai Leng: Still too slow, Shepard!
Shepard: I'm only slow because I'm not running! You ran away on the Citadel, on Thessia — all you can do is run!
Kai Leng: Sh-shut up!

"Hold on, I can't trust a man who does nothing but flee. The people responsible for my home burning... Zorba, who forced the dead to fight on his behalf... Anyone who can't face reality themselves is capable of any low."
Leon Strohl on Heismay, Metaphor: ReFantazionote 

"Oh God, please don't make me die today! Tomorrow would be so much better!"
Traditional Spathi prayer, Star Control 2

Archie: We have to give them more time! You told them to come!
Rennick: What I told them is that we are leaving! And we are leaving. NOW!

"We're right behind you! (But the second the going gets rough, we BAIL!)"
A Goomba, Super Paper Mario

"Hey! Brad! Where the hell's he going?!"
Chris Redfield as Brad "Chickenheart" Vickers leaves his squadmates for dead, Resident Evil 1

Sonic: Well, this is new. Showing remorse, Eggman? If you played nice, I wouldn't have to break all your toys.

"She found a weak point and exploited it. That is how she appears to operate, based on what we've seen so far. If it serves her strategy, she won't even hesitate to sacrifice her own soldiers. She's merciless. And just as in battle, she sends soldiers in as her shield while she hides away someplace safe. She's as cowardly as she is cruel, like no one we've yet encountered."
Anna on Letizia ordering a raid on the heroes' supply convoy, Fire Emblem Heroes

Starscream: So Megatron has been revived... This means you have either failed me, or betrayed me. Neither option bodes well for you.
Construct-A-Con: Barricade was right, you are a coward! Megatron conquers to obtain power... you just steal it.
Starscream: You are such a disappointment, my protégé.
Transformers: Decepticons, "Sibling Rivalry"

Starscream: Today's mission was accomplished with great speed. We, Decepticons, are always swift in action.
Grindor: Although you, Starscream, are equally swift in retreating.
Starscream: I have never retreated... EVER!!!
Grindor: Of course not, Starscream. You simply advance backwards.
(Starscream grumbles, then yells, in anger)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Luxoflux), Decepticon Campaign: "Tapping the Source"

    Web Animation 
Police Commissioner: Chris Brown, Manthor is attacking a pre-school! We need your help!
Manthor: (rampaging through the burning pre-school as children scream in terror) Rawwwr!
Chris Brown: Um...who?
Police Commissioner: Manthor! A huge, lumbering man nearly twice your size!
Chris Brown:Yeah, um...I'm gonna sit this one out.
FilmCow, Chris Brown: American Superhero
 
Yang: I'm sure you'd figure it out. You're not one to back down from a challenge, Blake.
Blake: But I am! I do it all the time! When you learned I was a Faunus, I didn't know what to do, so I ran! When I realized my oldest partner had become a monster, I ran! Even my Semblance! I was born with the ability to leave behind a shadow of myself; an empty copy that takes the hit while I run away!

Raven: I’ve stared death in the face over and over again! And every time I’ve spat in that face and survived, because I’m strong enough to do what others won’t!
Yang: Oh, shut up! You don’t know the first thing about strength! You turn your back on people! You run away when things get too hard! You put others in harm’s way instead of yourself! You might be powerful... but that doesn’t make you strong.
Raven: Who do you think you are, lecturing me?! Standing there, shaking like a scared little girl?!
Yang: Yeah, I'm scared. But I'm still standing here. I'm not like you. I won't run.

    Web Comics 
Thief: Hey guys. Did I miss anything?
Black Mage: Thief?! I thought you ran off like you the coward you are!
Thief: And you wouldn't have run for it?
Black Mage: Don't change the subject.

Lich: You can't run away forever!
Red Mage: Oh, you'll be surprised what cowardice has done for us so far.

"I'm not fighting someone who can fight back! #%&@ this!"
Flash Man, MS Paint Masterpieces

Willow: Can't believe we made friends with a human!
Luz: Let me go!
Willow: You've fooled us for the last time. Say hello...To Mr. Arson! Say your prayers now! (Beat) You will have the honor, Gus.
Gus: Haha, finally! I get to actually- Take... someone's life. (Beat) You should do it.
Willow: Nuh-uh, I insist.
Gus: She can't even do real magic, don't you hate that?
Willow: But you hate humans more than I do! Stop pushing!
Gus: No, You!

    Web Original 
It never ceases to amaze me when murderers will confess just to avoid the death penalty. You afraid of death? I bet they were, too.
—A random YouTube comment regarding real life murderer Edwin Hall

    Web Videos 
"I know I can help with the exorcism, but I need to survive. I have too much to live for. This was a mistake."
Matthew Haag, Escape the Night

"Alright Anakin, you'll take him alone. I don't want to die."

    Western Animation 
"I did a bad thing! I know I did and you deserve revenge, so why don't you take my mother? That would be fair!"

"Hey, this is between you and Stewart. Get him!"

"I surrender and volunteer for treason!"
Zapp Brannigan, Futurama

Opera Bender: Save Fry! Save Fry!/Godzilla/Will devour him!/As for me I must be off/To have my doctor check this cough!/Goodbye!
Bender: I don't recall ever fighting Godzilla, but that is so what I would have done.

"I surrender! Here, eat my friends! Just give me one more second of sweet, sweet life!"
Bender, Futurama

"Six on six... forget it!"
Janja, The Lion Guard

"Don't eat me! I have a wife and kids! Eat them!"

Milhouse: I can't go on. You two go ahead. And carry me with you.
Bart and Lisa: [Groans] Oh, come on, man.
Milhouse: [as Bart and Lisa carry him] Hurry! They're catching up!
Bart: [They reach a cliff. Bart hands Milhouse a vine] Here, Milhouse. You go first.
[Milhouse swings across]
Bart: Okay. Now throw the vine back.
Milhouse: [Runs off] There's no time.

Grim: Nothing matters because we're all gonna die someday!
The Boss: [appears holding a gun] Hey!
Grim: [gets down on his knees] No, no, no. Please don't kill me. Please. I don't want to die. Please don't kill me! Please don't! [breaks down sobbing while pissing his pants]

Dr. Eggman: As my great aunt used to say, "No retreat. no surrender."
(one of his robots gets destroyed)
Dr. Eggman: RETREAT! SURRENDER! (everyone runs away)

"All I know is I never risk my own skin if I don't have to."

"Please! Don't fire! I-I-I was wrong. I shouldn't have done it. Please, don't shoot!"
Starscream, The Transformers

"Every time we flash the Die Fledermaus signal, he unplugs his phone and skips town for a week."
Mayor Blank, The Tick

Sylvia: What'll it be? Number 19? Number 46?
Ryder: I'm thinkin' number one. As in, lookin' out for. (shoves Sylvia aside) So long, Syl. Told you you'd come in handy. (Gets zapped)

Sir Mortimer: Out of my way, squire.
Mickey: But you're a knight! You're supposed to protect the Queen!
Sir Mortimer: No, I'm a coward. And I don't wanna die.

"Poor ol' Bugs. But any way you look at it, it's better he should suffer. After all, it was me or him, and, obviously, it couldn't be me. It's a simple matter of logic. I'm not like other people. I can't stand pain. It hurts me!"

"I might be old, but I've lived long enough t' see the world rise against yer tyranny. Admit it, yeh big oaf! You're scared! The Samurai is still out there, inspirin' people by the thousands! After all these years, you're powerless against him! You've been shiverin' like a wee baby hidin' in yer crib, afraid to show yerself, 'cause you know he's out there— and you can't do anything about it! Bwahahaha! You're just a big baby! Why don't you go cry to yer mama?!"
The Scotsman, Samurai Jack

"I'll do whatever you want! I'll betray my friends and neighbors! JUST LET ME LIVE!"
Squidward Tentacles, SpongeBob SquarePants, "Born to be Wild"

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