To fear no COLORS¹

Meaning & Analysis

Based on the historical annotation, the literal meaning is to show no fear of an enemy's flag ('colors') in battle, and by extension, to be unafraid of any adversary or foe.

Insights

Defiance of Opposition

The proverb serves as a broad metaphor for defying any form of opposition, challenge, or adversity. 'Colors' represent any potential threat, and fearing none implies a state of unwavering courage and resilience.

Integrity and Truth

'Colors' can symbolize falsehood, misrepresentation, or scrutiny. In this sense, the proverb means that one who is honest, truthful, or has a clear conscience has no reason to fear examination or criticism.

Unwavering Confidence

The expression is used to convey a state of absolute confidence and self-assurance. An individual who 'fears no colors' is resolute and undeterred by the opinions, judgments, or actions of others.

Military and Heraldic Origins

The proverb originates from military slang, where 'colors' referred to an enemy's flag or standard. To 'fear no colors' was a literal expression of battlefield courage, signifying a soldier's readiness to face any foe without intimidation.

Shakespearean Wordplay and Puns

Shakespeare famously exploited the term's ambiguity. In 'Twelfth Night', he puns on 'colors' and 'collars' (a hangman's noose), creating a dark joke. In 'Love's Labour's Lost', he plays on 'colourable colours', meaning deceptive appearances, showcasing the proverb's flexibility for sophisticated wordplay.

Psychology of Integrity

The proverb evolved to embody a psychological state of integrity. Quotations like 'A good conscience fears no colours' and 'Truth fears no colours' shift the meaning from physical courage to moral fortitude, suggesting that internal righteousness provides the ultimate defense against external threats or scrutiny.

Rhetorical Devices

Symbolism

'Colors' functions as a powerful symbol, representing the abstract concept of opposition or adversity through the concrete image of a battle flag.

Pun

The term 'colors' offers rich ground for wordplay, as seen in Shakespeare's puns on 'collars' (noose) and 'colourable' (deceptive), which add layers of wit and meaning.

Synecdoche

The 'colors' (a part) stand in for the entire opposing force or threat (the whole), creating a concise and powerful image of defiance.

braverydefiancefearlessnesstruthoppositionwordplay
Analyzed with gemini-2.5-pro on July 25, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

Be as be may, I will neuer feare colours nor regard ruth.

— 1594, TRUE TRAG., Rich. III, iv, s. B4v

I feare no colours.

— 1599, H. PORTER, Two Women Ab., x, s. I4v

I'le feare no colours.

— 1601, YARINGTON, Two Lam. Trag., s. C2v

For those that are [beautiful], their beauties feare no colours.

— 1605, JONSON, Sejanus, I 285, p. 364

Then came..one that, it seem'd, feared no colours.

— 1613, MARSTON AND BARKSTEAD, Insat. Countess, II i 38

Goe saddle my fore-horse, put his feather on too, He'll praunce it bravely, friend, he fears no Colours.

— 1647, FLETCHER, Women Pleased, IV i, p. 283

A good conscience feares no colours.

— 1639, CL., p. 66

A stout heart feares no colours.

— Ibid., s.v. Fortitudinis, p. 120

Fear no colours.

— 1671, CL., Phras. Puer., s.v. To Encourage, p. 109

Truth fears no colours.

— 1678, RAY, p. 347

Take a good heart, man . . and fear no colours.

— 1679, DRYDEN, Troil. and Cress., II ii, p. 309

[As in 1678 Ray].

— 1732, FUL., no. 5296

Shakespeare Citations

Sir, tell me not of the father; I do fear colourable colours.

— LLL, IV.ii

Fear no colours!

— 2H4, V.v

He that is well hang'd in this world needs to fear no colours.

— TN, I.v

Annotations

  1. hostile standard or foe; i.e., have no fear

Original Scan
To fear no COLORS¹ - a scanned entry from Tilley's 1950 Dictionary of Proverbs. To fear no COLORS¹ - a scanned entry from Tilley's 1950 Dictionary of Proverbs. (continuation)
Scan courtesy of HathiTrust Digital Library.
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.

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Last updated: January 27, 2026