Plenty and peace breeds cowards; hardness ever Of hardiness is mother.
 William Shakespeare, Cymbeline (1623). copy citation

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Author William Shakespeare
Source Cymbeline
Topic hardness peace
Date 1623
Language English
Reference
Note Written between 1609 and 1611
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1133/pg1133-images.html

Context

“but even before, I was At point to sink for food. But what is this? Here is a path to't; 'tis some savage hold. I were best not call; I dare not call. Yet famine, Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant. Plenty and peace breeds cowards; hardness ever Of hardiness is mother. Ho! who's here? If anything that's civil, speak; if savage, Take or lend. Ho! No answer? Then I'll enter. Best draw my sword; and if mine enemy But fear the sword, like me, he'll scarcely look on't.” source