c cox rightly gets this here:
"Though cowards flinch, & traitors sneer,
We'll keep the red flag flying here."
Somehow the word cowards (and "traitors" as well) is lacking in precision, as well as
having a history of misuse.
The Communard's heroism in Luxemburg's reference
is primarily to their original act of seizing power
The Mensheviks showed cowardice in their refusal of
power .
they have been defended by some as "more correct" than the
Bolsheviks.
But their action makes sense only if history is predictable.
The attitude of Luxemburg (and Lenin) shows the essence of the courage needed:
We may well fail, but we must seize the time.
Only cowards (??) will not venture to be wrong!
There will never be a time when victory is predictable.
That was the heart of Luxemburg's words
. The type of 'cowardice' I want a word for
is this fear of being wrong;
this need for a road map, a scenario,
for assured success.
