All men are spies, gentlemen, who funk their duty at the moment of danger.
 Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Demons (1872). copy citation

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Author Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Source Demons
Topic danger duty
Date 1872
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Constance Garnett in 1916
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/8117/8117-h/8117-h.htm

Context

“That’s acting like swine and spies in government pay!” “Who’s a spy in government pay here?” Liputin filtered out. “You, perhaps. You’d better hold your tongue, Liputin; you talk for the sake of talking, as you always do. All men are spies, gentlemen, who funk their duty at the moment of danger. There will always be some fools who’ll run in a panic at the last moment and cry out, ‘Aie, forgive me, and I’ll give them all away!’ But let me tell you, gentlemen, no betrayal would win you a pardon now.” source