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. 1,158,808 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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Fear
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“I have seen the very bottom of life: I was so afraid I wouldn’t be funny anymore. I just knew that I would lose my zaniness and my sense of humor. But I didn’t. Recovery turned out to be a wonderful thing.”
Ann Richards (1933–2006) said by 2006 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People in the streets, that’s the only thing governments are afraid of. Well, or term limits. Or free elections! Or assassination. Or being laughed at, ah, ha-ha-ha!”
Kim Stanley Robinson (born 1952) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Don't be afraid of missing opportunities. Behind every failure is an opportunity somebody wishes they had missed.”
Jane Wagner (born 1935) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Also quoted by: Lily Tomlin
“I have been so satisfied with the Christian religion that I have spent no time trying to find arguments against it. … I am not afraid now that you will show me any. I feel that I have enough information to live and die by.”
William Jennings Bryan (1860–1925) said by 1925 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“...we have so far beset ourselves with rules, and concepts, and ideas of what must be done to make a building or a town alive, that we have become afraid of what will happen naturally, and convinced that we must work within a "system" and with "methods" since without them our surroundings will come tumbling down in chaos.”
Christopher Alexander (1936–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People always try to find base motives behind every good action. We are afraid of pure goodness and of pure evil.”
Eugène Ionesco (1909–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He didn't believe in psychiatrists, he said. But actually he did believe in them, so much that he was afraid of them.”
John Steinbeck (1902–1968) said by 1968 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People who are most afraid of their dreams convince themselves they don’t dream at all.”
John Steinbeck (1902–1968) said by 1968 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Oh, we can populate the dark with horrors, even we who think ourselves informed and sure, believing nothing we cannot measure or weigh. I know beyond all doubt that the dark things crowding in on me either did not exist or were not dangerous to me, and still I was afraid.”
John Steinbeck (1902–1968) said by 1968 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But surely you trust God! Do you think He would let you come to harm? To be afraid is to distrust.”
Lewis Carroll (1832–1898) first seen 1898 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in Beatrice Hatch, "Lewis Carroll", Strand Magazine (April 1898), p. 421
“I’m not against the police; I'm just afraid of them.”
Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980) said by 1980 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Hitchcock (revised edition 1985) by François Truffaut, p. 109.
“The principles of Western liberalism seem no longer to lend themselves to effective action. Deprived of the expressive power, we are awed by it, have a hunger for it, and are afraid of it. Thus we praise the gray dignity of our soft-spoken leaders, but in our hearts we are suckers for passionate outbursts, even when those passionate outbursts are hypocritical and falsely motivated.”
Saul Bellow (1915–2005) first seen 1961 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Literary Notes on Khrushchev" (1961), p. 36
“Whenever an angel says "Be not afraid!" you'd better start worrying. A big assignment is on the way.”
Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) first seen 1988 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Spirituality and Liberation : Overcoming the Great Fallacy (1988) by Robert McAfee Brown, p. 136
“MARIA: Hell? Is he talking about hell? Good. For a moment I was afraid he was making sense.”
Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) said by 2016 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Composers aren't daring enough. They're afraid of that sacred idol called "common sense", which is the most dreadful thing I know — after all, it's no more than a religion founded to excuse the ubiquity of imbeciles!”
Claude Debussy (1862–1918) said by 1918 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Henry Lerolle, in Debussy Letters (1987) edited by Francois Lesure and Roger Nichols, p. 73
“It's difficult to talk to people who whisper even at home, afraid of Americans eavesdropping on them. It’s not a figure of speech, not a joke, I'm serious.”
Vladimir Putin (born 1952) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: (17 April 2014)
“Recently—I won’t give an exact figure for the number of settlements, as I’m afraid of getting it wrong—but the Russian army has brought approximately 2’440’000 square kilometres [in Ukraine] under its control.”
Vladimir Putin (born 1952) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ukraine's territory in its internationally recognized borders is 603'600 km2 Путин заявил, что захватил «две тысячи четыреста сорок тысяч квадратных километров» Украины. Это в 4 раза больше всей ее территории, The Mosco…
“To look upon the face and hair of a girl who has not reached puberty, if it is done without intention of enjoyment thereof, and if one is not afraid of succumbing to temptation, may be tolerated. It is however recommended that one not look upon her belly or thighs, which must remain covered.”
Ruhollah Khomeini (1900–1989) said by 1989 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You [Christian Wakeford] were making s*** up because you were told to by your masters in the Foreign Office in Tel Aviv because of this hate. This hate is being organised from Israel. And I’m not afraid to say it because I know Christian Wakeford, that what I'm saying is not a lie.”
Roger Waters (born 1943) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Comments at the O2 venue during a performance (6 June 2023), as cited in "Roger Waters claims 'cripple' Labour MP is working for 'his masters in Tel Aviv'" The Jewish Chronicle (7 June 2023)
“I think that many people hide their identity, tolerate restrictions, and remain in bad relationships because they're afraid of being lonely. But I wonder what they mean by 'lonely.' Aren't they very lonely when they deal with people who don't understand and appreciate them? I know I'd be lonely in such a situation.”
Harry Browne (1933–2006) said by 2006 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Don't be so afraid of sudden, sharp discomfort that you willingly tolerate chronic, continual, deadening pain the rest of your life. If you refuse to undergo temporary discomfort, you're resigning yourself to a lifetime with little happiness. The chronic pain can deaden your senses, destroy your love of life, and make you bitter.”
Harry Browne (1933–2006) said by 2006 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Once, as Mung went his way athwart the Earth and up and down its cities and across its plains, Mung came upon a man who was afraid when Mung said: “I am Mung!”
Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany (1878–1957) said by 1957 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I guess I think I'm writing for people who are smarter than I am, because then I'll be doing something that's worth their time. I'd be very afraid to write from a position where I consciously thought I was smarter than most of my readers.”
Susan Sontag (1933–2004) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Risk Taker", profile/interview by Gary Younge, The Guardian (19 January 2002)
“I believe that courage is morally neutral. I can well imagine wicked people being brave and good people being timid or afraid. I don't consider it a moral virtue.”
Susan Sontag (1933–2004) said by 2004 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All living things are afraid to die." "No, you're exactly wrong, the only truly alive beings are those unafraid to die.”
David Zindell (born 1952) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The audience usually has to be with you, I'm afraid. I always regarded myself as not even preaching to the converted, I was titillating the converted. The audiences like to think that satire is doing something. But, in fact, it is mostly to leave themselves satisfied. Satisfied rather than angry, which is what they should be.”
Tom Lehrer (1928–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He heard them whispering—whispering... The independence seeped out of him and he walked the streets alone, afraid of men's cynical eyes and the incessant hiss of whispering. ~ Ch. 32”
Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) said by 1951 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He was still not at all certain that he was doing any good, aside from providing the drug of religious hope to timorous folk frightened of hell-fire and afraid to walk alone.”
Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) said by 1951 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Under a tyranny, most friends are a liability. One quarter of them turn "reasonable" and become your enemies, one quarter are afraid to speak, and one quarter are killed and you die with them. But the blessed final quarter keep you alive.”
Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) said by 1951 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Aaron was uncomfortable and a little afraid. This, he thought, is how God might pray to his God. ~ Ch. 1”
Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) said by 1951 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Today we need a special kind of courage. Not the kind needed in battle, but a kind which makes us stand up for everything that we know is right, everything that is true and honest. We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics, so that we can show the world that we are not afraid of the future.”
Elizabeth II (1926–2022) first seen 1957 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 1957 Christmas Broadcast; quoted on royal website (25 December 1957)
“Why are people so afraid? The answer is that they have made themselves helpless and dependent on others. We are so lazy, we do not want to do anything ourselves. We want a Personal God, a Savior or a Prophet to do everything for us.”
Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) said by 1902 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A god intervened, Captain Paran. Returned the life to you. You might think it was on your behalf, but I’m afraid there wasn’t any altruism involved. Are you following me?” “I’m being used,” Paran stated flatly. She raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t bother you?” Paran shrugged and turned away. “It’s nothing new,” he muttered.”
Steven Erikson (born 1959) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Donald Trump tells us that he is very, very smart. I'm afraid that when it comes to foreign policy he is very, very not smart.”
Mitt Romney (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“God show me the way, because the Devil's trying to break me down The only thing that I pray is that my feet don't fail me now And I don't think there's nothing I can do now to right my wrongs I wanna talk to God, but I'm afraid 'cause we ain't spoke in so long.”
Kanye West (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm a problem that'll never ever be solved I'm a monster, I'm a maven I know this world is changing Never gave in, never gave up I'm the only thing I'm afraid of No matter what, you'll never take that from me My reign is as far as your eyes can see, it's amazing.”
Kanye West (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I've been killing characters my entire career, maybe I'm just a bloody minded bastard, I don't know, [but] when my characters are in danger, I want you to be afraid to turn the page (and to do that) you need to show right from the beginning that you're playing for keeps.”
George R. R. Martin (born 1948) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Audio Interview with Geekson in Episode 54, (4 August 2006)
“Those who want to burn books are either afraid of the ideas contained within the covers or they haven't the courage to stand up for the views which they themselves profess to hold.”
Tommy Douglas (1904–1986) first seen 1954 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech, Saskatchewan Legislature, February 17, 1954.
“The major thing I'm afraid of is being 65 and saying, 'Gee, I wish I had done this and that, and that.' I want to face old age knowing I've tried all I wanted to try.”
Harry Chapin (1942–1981) first seen 1972 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Chapin Takes 'Taxi' Wherever He Can", Rolling Stone (July 6, 1972)
“Oh God they got you gun shy You know your skin's as cold as ice Your eyes are double filtered babe You're so afraid to be nice There's no way you're ready To let your defenses down Though I won't come on heavy There is a lesson that I've found.”
Harry Chapin (1942–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And I know you're frightened By my laughter But you're not afraid To hold my pain You see I'm never sure Just what you're after, Babe But it seems you only love me When it rains. How come you only love me when it rains?”
Harry Chapin (1942–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I before Thy greatness Stand, and am afraid:— All my secret thoughts Thine eye beholdeth Deep within my bosom laid.”
Solomon ibn Gabirol (1020–1070) said by 1070 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I name next a word that it requires some courage to utter these days—the word of economy. It is like a echo from the distant period of my early life. The wealth of the country, and the vast comparative diffusion of comfort, has, I am afraid, put public economy, at least in its more rigid and severe forms, sadly out of countenance.”
William Ewart Gladstone (1809–1898) first seen 1888 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the National Liberal Federation in Newcastle (2 October 1891), quoted in A. W. Hutton and H. J. Cohen (eds.), The Speeches of The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone on Home Rule, Criminal Law, Welsh and Irish National…
“I am not so much afraid either of Democracy or of Science as of the love of money. This seems to me to be a growing evil. Also, there is a danger from the growth of that dreadful military spirit.”
William Ewart Gladstone (1809–1898) first seen 1896 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks to Lionel Tollemache (8 January 1896), quoted in Lionel Tollemache, Talks with Mr. Gladstone (1898), pp. 166–167
“I was afraid I’d fail. So I didn’t work.”
Ursula K. Le Guin (1929–2018) first seen 1976 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brothers and Sisters (p. 93; first published in The Little Magazine (1976) Vol. 10, Nos. 1 & 2)
“Maybe that’s what the Masters are afraid of. Maybe celibacy isn’t as necessary as the Rule of Roke teaches. Maybe it’s not a way of keeping the power pure, but of keeping the power to themselves.”
Ursula K. Le Guin (1929–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If I could act like This was my real life, And not some cage where I've been placed, Well then, I could tell you The truth like I used to And not be afraid of sounding fake.”
Conor Oberst (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“a good woman will pick you apart a box full of suggestions for your possible heart and you may be offended. and you may be afraid but don't walk away, don't walk away”
Conor Oberst (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I wish I didn't have to introduce the following information, [on reptilian shapeshifting] because it complicates the story and opens me up to mass ridicule. But I'm not afraid to go where information leads me”
David Icke (born 1952) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Biggest Secret (1999) ch. 2
“I'd lock myself up in my room with my guitar. I wouldn't cry. I was afraid if I let go just a little bit, it would all go. I would sing for hours by myself . . . . It was my way of crying.”
Gloria Estefan (born 1957) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Entertainment Weekly (30 July 1993)