h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Quite often, people will accuse others of being cowardly for not doing something pointless and suicidal, but really, they aren't cowardly; they just have different priorities. For example:

'If you don't run in front of that train, you're a coward'
'If you do run in front of the train, you're a coward for doing what that fool said'

Both of these statements are equally as invalid, but I prefer the second, as I don't agree with running in front of trains to prove courage.

They are invalid, because they merely show a different set of priorities - some people would rather risk death than be mocked, while for others it is the other way round.

It would seem that the only way in which someone can be cowardly is if their lack of courage is disadvantageous to others.

This way, the priority is either the welfare of themselves and the welfare of others.

Definiton of coward:
• noun a person contemptibly lacking in courage.

Therefore if they don't help others, their dislike to endanger/embrrass/cause another negative effect to come to themselves has been more important than another person's welfare.