Bhagavad Gita 2.35
भयाद्रणादुपरतं मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथाः। येषां च त्वं बहुमतो भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम्॥
bhayād raṇād uparataṁ mansyante tvāṁ mahā-rathāḥ yeṣhāṁ cha tvaṁ bahu-mato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam
Translation
The great car-warriors will think thee fled from the battle from fear, and thou, that wast highly thought of by them, wilt be lightly held.
What it means
The great warriors will think you fled from fear, and you who were highly esteemed will be held lightly. The verdict of peers matters to a warrior. Krishna speaks Arjuna's language before lifting him beyond it.
Try this today
Actions get read. A principled refusal can look identical to cowardice from outside - be sure of your real motive.
Something to reflect on
If others read my withdrawal as fear, would they be wrong?
Read it in Yathora