Famous quotes
Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,158,269 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
EnglishItalianoPolskiעבריתFrançaisPortuguêsفارسیEspañol中文РусскийDeutschالعربيةहिन्दी日本語ΕλληνικάLatina
Fear
LoveFriendshipHappinessHopeFearCourageDeathLifeTimeWarPeaceFreedomTruthWisdomKnowledgeScienceArtMusicNatureMoneyWorkPowerGodBeautyLaughterFamilySuccess and failureChangeDreamsBooks and reading
“It's time. You are light. I guess you are afraid of what everyone is made of — Time and Light.”
St. Vincent (musician) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Be afraid of the Chinese. I mean, the Chinese shoot down satellites in space; they hack into Google's computers; the Osama bin Laden people can't make their underwear blow up.”
Francis Fukuyama (born 1952) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On The Colbert Report (2 May 2011), answering the question of who Americans should be scared of now that bin Laden is dead
“Don't be afraid," I muttered. "We belong together." I was abruptly overwhelmed by the truth of my own words. This moment was so perfect, so right, there was no way to doubt it.”
Stephenie Meyer (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Don't be afraid.”
Seamus Heaney (1939–2013) said by 2013 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Marie Koré: “Don’t back down from such little things”, By Fanny Pigeaud, retrieved on August 8, 2023
Also quoted by: Marie Koré
“the things that scare a prey/species animal like cattle are a whole lot of little visual details that people just don't tend to notice. And one of the big problems they used to have is the people just wanted to get out there and yell and scream and push and shove and you know more and more prods. Rather than remove the things that the cattle were afraid of.”
Temple Grandin (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All office workers are afraid of being late for work.”
Stefan Zweig (1881–1942) said by 1942 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I saw a Divine Being. I'm afraid I'm going to have to revise all my various books and opinions.”
A. J. Ayer (1910–1989) said by 1989 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A statement he made soon after recovering from his near-death experience, as reported by Dr. Jeremy George, in "Did atheist philosopher see God when he 'died'?" by William Cash, in National Post (3 March 2001).
“You can say a lot of things about Alabama, but you can't say that Alabamans as a people are unduly afraid of deep fryers.”
John Green (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Everyone's got the same insecurities as you Everyone's got the same insecurities as you Believe me it is true You are not alone There's no need to feel blue Everyone's got the same insecurities as you Believe me it is true Do not be afraid To show people the real you.”
Justin Heazlewood (born 1980) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In Bed with my Doona (2005).
“Many times the poorest White person is the most racist because he is afraid that he might lose something, or discover something he does not have.”
Huey P. Newton (1942–1989) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Women's Liberation and Gay Liberation Movements (April 15, 1970)
“I am very much afraid that the loss of Cyrenaica will have serious political consequences for the Duce.”
Ugo Cavallero (1880–1943) first seen 1939 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in "Der Afrikafeldzug: Rommels Wüstenkrieg 1941-1943" - Page 112 - by Franz Kurowski - World War, 1939-1945 - 1986
“I was a teenage wuss. In junior high school, I had oily, stringy hair and lots of pimples. I wore really wussy clothes. Most of the kids called me a faggot. Even some of the other wusses called me a faggot. There was maybe five kids in the whole school who were wussier than I was. I was really wussed out. I was afraid of girls, and guys scared the shit out of me.”
John S. Hall (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I know what it is. I know why my other relationships didn't work out, 'cause I'm unpredictable. Why are you afraid of it?”
Ruslana Korshunova (1987–2008) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Model's Web rants pined for love" in Daily News (29 June 2008)
“Never be afraid to bring the transcendent mysteries of our faith, Christ's life and death and resurrection, to the help of the humblest and commonest of human wants.”
Phillips Brooks (1835–1893) said by 1893 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 88.
“At the piping of all hands, When the judgment-signal's spread— When the islands and the lands And the seas give up their dead, And the South and North shall come; When the sinner is dismayed, And the just man is afraid, Then Heaven be thy aid, Poor Tom.”
John Gardiner Calkins Brainard (1795–1828) said by 1828 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Lament for Long Tom, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
“Aroni has taken control. That is when the guilty become afraid.”
Wole Soyinka (born 1934) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The older we get the less afraid we are.”
Sidney Poitier (1927–2022) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in interview with AARP The Magazine (September/October 2008)
“They didn't understand what they were doing. I'm afraid that will be on the tombstone of the human race. I hope it's not. We might get lucky.”
Michael Crichton (1942–2008) said by 2008 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There was a seminar for advanced students in Zürich that I was teaching and von Neumann was in the class. I came to a certain theorem, and I said it is not proved and it may be difficult. Von Neumann didn't say anything but after five minutes he raised his hand. When I called on him he went to the blackboard and proceeded to write down the proof. After that I was afraid of von Neumann.”
George Pólya (1887–1985) first seen 1957 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 2nd ed. (1957), p. xv
“Hi, I'm one of the knife-carrying hooligans you met last night in Pandemonium? I'm afraid I made a bad impression and was hoping you'd give me a chance to make it up to- " "SIMON!" Clary held the phone away from her ear as he cracked up laughing. "That is so not funny!”
Cassandra Clare (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“She was afraid you'd freak out? Start seeing demons in the White House?”
Cassandra Clare (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There might simply be nothing going on that might activate it. Perhaps there isn't anything here that Alec is afraid of." Magnus glanced at Alec and raised his eyebrows. "Boo.”
Cassandra Clare (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What about the dark? We could lock you in the basement." "I'm a demon hunter. Clearly, I am not afraid of the dark.”
Cassandra Clare (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One who pursues a goal through sinful ways, will ironically distance himself from that goal, and will approach what he was afraid of.”
Husayn ibn Ali (626–680) said by 680 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now there's no *beeping* way in hell I'm gonna go over because I'm a little afraid of animals.”
Ben Kowalewicz (born 1975) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He gets sex, she gets sex; if that is considered unequal, no wonder men are afraid of commitment.”
Warren Farrell (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If the law tries to legislate our “yeses” and “noes” it will produce “the straitjacket generation” – a generation afraid to flirt, fearful of finding its love notes in a court suit. Date rape legislation will force suitors and courting to give way to courts and suing.”
Warren Farrell (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Don't be afraid. Human birth is full of suffering and one has to endure everything patiently, taking the Name of God. None, not even God in human form can escape the sufferings of the body and mind.”
Sarada Devi (1853–1920) said by 1920 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I understand why he has to do this; to prove he's a man... He's afraid of his own weakness. Russia has nothing, no successful politics or economy. All they have is this.”
Angela Merkel (born 1954) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "The Quiet German" (1 December 2014), by George Paker, The New Yorker.
“Oh yes,” said the Emperor. “That’s what you have to do when you approach the Celestial Presence—that’s me.” “Well, I’m afraid that no cat in the world ever bowed to an emperor,” said Jason. “They just won’t do it, Ichigo, and you’re wasting your time if you try to force them. A cat does what he wants, when he wants, emperor or not.”
Lloyd Alexander (1924–2007) said by 2007 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think a lot of directors, they come out of film school, they don't know anything about acting. Or they're writers that don't know anything about the process. And I think they're afraid sometimes to talk to actors and be honest with actors.”
Matt Dillon (born 1964) first seen 1997 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Betsy Pickle (June 1, 1997) "Redefining Himself, On and Off-Camera", The Knoxville News-Sentinel, p. T4.
“Like handshakes, house pets, or raw carrots, many things are preferable when not slippery. Unfortunately, in this miserable volume, I am afraid that Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire run into more than their fair share of slipperiness during their harrowing journey up -- and down -- a range of strange and distressing mountains.”
Daniel Handler (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm not - the terrific guy you keep telling me about. I'm not made of sugar and spice and everything nice. I'm made of rats and snails and puppy-dogs tails. I lie sometimes. I have broken people's hearts. I'm looking for love, I'll admit that, but now that it's here in abundance, I'm afraid of commitment and I want you, please, to leave me.”
Daniel Handler (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He's been misled and he's been afraid. He's been hit in the head and left for dead. He's been abused and he's been accused and he's been refused a piece of bread. On and on he goes down this road getting pushed around and lost and around and given until sundown to get out of town, and yet this is basically a love song. He's had the shit kicked out of him, and guess what? It's love.”
Daniel Handler (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The gazing crowd, of glittering State afraid, Adore the Power their coward meanness made; In war's short intervals, while regal shows Still blind their reason and insult their woes.”
Joel Barlow (1754–1812) said by 1812 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Mondrian.. .The constructivists?.. .They had certainties. They wanted a stable basis to work on, but I’m afraid that that was enormous arrogance on their part. Nothing is stable and no certainties are possible.”
Bram van Velde (1895–1981) first seen 1972 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 11 August 1972; p. 90
“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail. Scientists made a great invention by calling their activities hypotheses and experiments. They made it permissible to fail repeatedly until in the end they got the results they wanted. In politics or government, if you made a hypothesis and it didn't work out, you had your head cut off.”
Edwin H. Land (1909–1991) first seen 1972 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "A Genius and His Magic Camera" in LIFE magazine (27 October 1972); also in The Instant Image : Edwin Land and the Polaroid Experience (1978) by Mark Olshaker, p. 65
“It gives my brain a rest, painting flowers. I don't feel the same tension as when I have a model in front of me. When I paint flowers, I put on colours and try out values boldly, without worrying about wasting a canvas. I wouldn't dare to do it with a figure; I'd be afraid of spoiling the whole thing. And the experience I gain this way is then applied to my pictures.”
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841–1919) said by 1919 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Brethren, understand that the gospel is a gospel which brings a present salvation; and try to feel that it is not presumption, but simply out of the very fundamental principle of it, when you are not afraid to say, "I know that my Redeemer is yonder, and I know that He loves me.”
Alexander Maclaren (1826–1910) said by 1910 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One day work is hard, and another day it is easy; but if I had waited for inspiration I am afraid I should have done nothing. The miner does not sit at the top of the shaft waiting for the coal to come bubbling up to the surface. One must go deep down, and work out every vein carefully.”
Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900) first seen 1899 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Untitled essay, reprinted in Arthur Lawrence Sir Arthur Sullivan: Life-story, Letters and Reminiscences (London: James Bowden, 1899) p. 225.
“While the children laughed I was always afraid Of the smile of the clown So I close my eyes Till I can't see the light And I hide from the sound We're two of a kind Silence and I We need a chance to talk things over Two of a kind Silence and I”
Alan Parsons (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven. There are others: innocence, but that is for little children; penance, but we are afraid of it; generous endurance of trials of life, but when they come we weep and ask to be delivered. The surest, easiest, shortest way is the Eucharist.”
Pope Pius X (1835–1914) said by 1914 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Quotable Saints (2003) by Ronda Chervin, p. 79
“How comes it to pass then, that we appear such Cowards in reasoning, and are so afraid to stand the Test of Ridicule?”
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury (1671–1713) said by 1713 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now if I seem to be afraid To live the life that I have made in song Well it's just that I've been losing so long.”
Jackson Browne (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I’m not afraid of being one of the post-election martyrs who lost their lives in their struggle for their rightful demands. My blood is no different from that of other martyrs.”
Mir-Hossein Mousavi (born 1941) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Standoff in Iran Deepens With New Show of Force" by Michael Slackman in The New York Times (1 January 2010)
“I'm not afraid of growing old. I'm not sure that I'll ever be an old man. Maybe in the chronological sense - but that's all.”
Sol Kerzner (1935–2020) said by 2020 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You’re so hypnotizing, Could you be the devil, could you be an angel? Your touch magnetizing, Feels like going floating, leaves my body glowing. They say be afraid, You’re not like the others, futuristic lovers. Different DNA, they don’t understand you.”
Katy Perry (born 1984) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am a material to be used that will not cost you any money. I am afraid to collect money from you because if I collect it, it will affect the gift and grace of God in my life.”
T. B. Joshua (1963–2021) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On collecting money - "I Told Jonathan He Would Lose - TB Joshua" Premium Times, Nigeria (April 5 2015)
“Are you that afraid to die?” “No. I simply like to live.”
Poul Anderson (1926–2001) said by 2001 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In this city, those who look like me are not like me. I made the mistake once (tired and afraid and desperate for help) of doubting that. Looking for a place to hide, looking for food and warmth at night and respite from the stares that greet me whenever I set foot on the streets.”
China Miéville (born 1972) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source