"There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice"

Mark Twain's quote suggests that cowardice is the most reputable method to prevent temptation. He suggests that although there are other ways to resist temptation, cowardice is the most efficient. This could be interpreted as a criticism of those who choose to take the easy way out and avoid tight spots. It might likewise be seen as a cautioning to those who are tempted to do something wrong, as cowardice is the surest way to avoid it. Ultimately, Twain's quote recommends that it is much better to be a coward than to succumb to temptation. It is a pointer that it is much better to be safe than sorry, and that it is better to prevent temptation entirely than to run the risk of succumbing to it.