That argument is based on the premise that the best thing to do is be cowardly if it benefits you, even if it costs a lot of people who you have a duty towards

That argument is based on the premise that the best thing to do is be cowardly if it benefits you, even if it costs a lot of people who you have a duty towards substantial amounts. The long term prospect of repeatedly caving to corruption taking relatively small portions of the population hostage is eventual corruption of the entire system -- death of the system -- which costs the futures of the very people who would be angry at you. I'm not sure I agree with that premise.