"Bullies are always cowards at heart and may be credited with a pretty safe instinct in scenting their prey"

In this quote, Anna Julia Cooper is recommending that bullies are really scared and weak people at their core. She thinks that they have a natural ability to sense vulnerability in others and use it to their advantage. By victimizing those who are weaker or various, bullies are able to mask their own insecurities and fears. Cooper's use of the word "cowards" implies that bullies lack nerve and turn to bullying as a way of feeling effective. However, she also acknowledges that this instinct to target the vulnerable is a safe one for bullies, as it permits them to avoid confronting their own fears and weak points. Overall, Cooper's quote highlights the mental complexities behind bullying habits.