All this weighs on my mind too, dear woman.
But I would die of shame to face the men of Troy
and the Trojan women trailing their long robes
if I would shrink from battle now, a coward.
Nor does the spirit urge me on that way.
I’ve learned it all too well. To stand up bravely,
always to fight in the front ranks of Trojan soldiers.
winning my father great glory, glory for myself.
– Homer
The Iliad, Book 6, lines 522-529. Hector’s reply to his wife Andromache when she begs him to remain home, be a husband to her, and not leave their child an orphan. Hector is touched by her plea, but won’t allow himself to be moved. What is more important to him, he makes clear to her, is winning great glory, not being a shrinking coward in battle and always to fight in the front ranks.