Snicket is frequently disparaging of himself; he has described himself as a coward, and at various points in his novels comments that he would not have been as brave as the Baudelaire children had he been in their situation.
Snicket deseori se subapreciază; se descrie ca fiind un laș, iar în anumite momente ale povestirilor sale menționează ca nu ar fi fost la fel de curajos ca orfanii Baudelaire în situația lor.