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Quotes about fear

124 quotes from 100 people

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In any case, we do not advance the human cause by refusing to consider ideas that make us frightened.
Carl Sagan1934–1996Broca’s Brain (1979), Chapter 25, “The Amniotic Universe” (p. 364)
- Ideas
The condition of mankind is to be weary of what we do know, and afraid of what we do not.
George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax1633–1695Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Reflections (1750), “Moral Thoughts and Reflections”
- Knowledge
The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs, and explosions, and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices, to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy; and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own for the children, and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is, that these things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone.
Rod Serling1924–1975Closing narration of The Twilight Zone, “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” (4 March 1960)
- War & Peace
In time we hate that which we often fear.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Antony and Cleopatra (1600s), Act I, scene 3, line 12.In context
- Anger
O, I have passed a miserable night,
So full of fearful dreams, of ugly sights,
That, as I am a Christian faithful man,
I would not spend another such a night
Though ’twere to buy a world of happy days,
So full of dismal terror was the time!
William Shakespeare1564–1616Richard III (c. 1593), Act I, Scene IV, spoken by ClarenceIn context
- Sleep
When our actions do not,
Our fears do make us traitors.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Macbeth (c. 1606), Act IV, Scene II, spoken by Lady MacduffIn context
Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Measure for Measure (c. 1604), Act I, Scene IV, spoken by LucioIn context
- Motivation & Goals
The sense of death is most in apprehension;
And the poor beetle that we tread upon
In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great
As when a giant dies.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Measure for Measure (c. 1604), Act III, Scene I, spoken by IsabellaIn context
- Life & Death
The weariest and most loathed worldly life
That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment
Can lay on nature is a paradise
To what we fear of death.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Measure for Measure (c. 1604), Act III, Scene I, spoken by ClaudioIn context
- Life & Death
In this world there is always danger for those who are afraid of it.
George Bernard Shaw1856–1950
What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the spectre which had haunted my midnight pillow.
Mary Shelley1797–1851Frankenstein (1818), Introduction to the 1831 edition of FrankensteinIn context
- Writing
Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.
Mary Shelley1797–1851Frankenstein (1818), Chapter XXIn context
- Power
The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.
Frank Sinatra1915–1998The Way You Wear Your Hat (1997)
- Advice
It is not suffering as such that is most deeply feared but suffering that degrades.
Susan Sontag1933–2004AIDS and Its Metaphors, (1989), ch. 4, p. 125, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Why should a mortal man, the sport of chance,
With no assured foreknowledge, be afraid?
Best live a careless life from hand to mouth.
Sophocles496–406 BCOedipus the King (c. 429 BC), spoken by JocastaIn context
- Luck