The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country, than the coward who deserts her in the hour of danger.

The saying contrasts two kinds of failure in public service: cowardice in crisis and negligence in routine duty. Jackson’s point is that courage alone is not enough; bravery that is undisciplined or inattentive can be nearly as harmful to the nation as outright desertion. The quote reflects a martial, republican ethic in which personal valor must be governed by obedience, steadiness, and responsibility to the collective good. It also functions as a warning against romanticizing “brave” figures who disregard orders or civic obligations—suggesting that a country needs reliable duty as much as heroism.