Aesop's Fables

Two soldiers traveling together were set upon by a Robber. One fled; the other stood his ground and defended himself with his strong right hand. When the Robber had been slain, the timid companion ran up and drew his sword, and then, throwing back his traveling cloak, he said, “I’ll go at him, and I’ll make sure he learns whom he has attacked.” At this, the one who had fought with the Robber answered, “I only wish that you had helped me just now, even if it had been only with those words, for I would have been all the more encouraged, believing them to be true. But now put your sword back in its sheath and hold your equally useless tongue until you can deceive others who do not know you. I, indeed, who have seen for myself how fast you run away, know very well that your valor cannot be depended on.”