It was always himself that the coward abandoned first. After this all other betrayals came easily.
In Cormac McCarthy's "All the Pretty Horses," the quote reflects the theme of self-betrayal and the consequences of cowardice. It suggests that when a person fails to stand up for themselves, they become susceptible to further betrayals, both from themselves and others. This initial act of abandoning one’s own principles paves the way for a lack of integrity, making it easier to succumb to additional treachery.
The statement also highlights the...