Famous quotes
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Fear
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“The greater, far the greater number of those who rave and rail, and inquire and accuse, neither suspect nor fear, nor care for the publick; but hope to force their way to riches, by virulence and invective, and are vehement and clamorous, only that they may be sooner hired to be silent.”
Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) said by 1784 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Instant Karma's gonna get you Gonna knock you off your feet Better recognize your brothers Everyone you meetWhy in the world are we here? Surely not to live in pain and fear Why on Earth are you there When you're everywhere Go and get your share Well, we all shine on Like the moon and the stars and the sun Yeah, we all shine on C'mon and on and on, on, on”
John Lennon (1940–1980) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: John Lennon, in "Instant Karma!" (written 27 January 1970)
“The young woman seemed to take pleasure in being bold and shameless. She had no hesitation, no fear whatsoever. She threw herself into adultery with a sort of vigorous sincerity, defying danger and doing so with a sort of vanity in her defiance.”
Émile Zola (1840–1902) said by 1902 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ch. 7 (tr. Adam Thorpe, 2013)<!--On her [Thérèse's] part she seemed to revel in daring and shamelessness. Not a single moment of hesitation or fear possessed her. She threw herself into adultery with a kind of furious h…
“Like certain devotees, who fancy they will deceive the Almighty, and secure pardon by praying with their lips, and assuming the humble attitude of penitence, Thérèse displayed humility, striking her chest, finding words of repentance, without having anything at the bottom of her heart save fear and cowardice.”
Émile Zola (1840–1902) first seen 1886 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ch. 29 (tr. E. A. Vizetelly, 1886)
“And, then, if only there were some truth in what the priests say, if only the poor of this world were rich in the next!" These words were greeted with a burst of laughter, and even the children shrugged their shoulders, for the hard wind blowing from the outer world had taken away all their belief. They harbored a secret fear of ghosts down in the mine, but scoffed at the empty heavens.”
Émile Zola (1840–1902) said by 1902 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Pt. 3, ch. 3 (tr. L. W. Tancock, 1954)
“This country has nothing to fear from the crooked man who fails. We put him in jail. It is the crooked man who succeeds who is a threat to this country.”
Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) first seen 1905 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address in Memphis, Tennessee (25 October 1905)
“There is no good reason why we should fear the future, but there is every reason why we should face it seriously, neither hiding from ourselves the gravity of the problems before us nor fearing to approach these problems with the unbending, unflinching purpose to solve them aright.”
Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) said by 1919 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“World Game finds that 60 percent of all the jobs in the U.S.A. are not producing any real wealth—i.e., real life support. They are in fear - underwriting industries or are checking-on-other-checkers, etc.”
Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Pg 223. - Google Books Result https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0312174918 - 1982 - History
“Almost every evening [in their common early-Cubist years, in Paris], either I went to Braque's studio or Braque came to mine. Each of us had to see what the other had done during the day. We criticized each other's paintings. A canvas wasn't less both of us fear p. 311”
Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) said by 1973 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Scientists tend to resist interdisciplinary inquiries into their own territory. In many instances, such parochialism is founded on the fear that intrusion from other disciplines would compete unfairly for limited financial resources and thus diminish their own opportunity for research.”
Hannes Alfvén (1908–1995) said by 1995 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The hope of courage lies in every heart, together with the fear that we will fail. When the test came, you did not fail.”
Romeo LeBlanc (1927–2009) first seen 1995 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Source: speech at the Ceremony for Decorations for Bravery, June 23, 1995.
“I fear that by gaining a limit, we'll lose an excuse.”
Romeo LeBlanc (1927–2009) first seen 1975 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Source: Speech as Fisheries Minister, at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, September 16, 1975, well in advance of Canada declaring 200-mile fisheries jurisdiction in 1977.
“The federal government and the state government must not fear programs who change lives, but must welcome those faith-based programs for the embetterment of mankind.”
George W. Bush (born 1946) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks at a luncheon for gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon in Stockton, California, August 23, 2002.
“You have lifted a shadow of fear for many families. God bless you and may God bless the victims.”
George W. Bush (born 1946) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Air Force One phone call to Charles A. Moose (24 October 2002), as quoted in "Bush Praises Law Community For Capturing Sniper Suspects" (25 October 2002), by Ron Fournier, Berkeley Daily Planet.
“During these last few months, I've been humbled and privileged to see the true character of this country in a time of testing. Our enemies believed America was weak and materialistic, that we would splinter in fear and selfishness. They were as wrong as they are evil.”
George W. Bush (born 1946) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“No device of man can remove the tragedy from war, yet it is a great advance when the guilty have far more to fear from war than the innocent.”
George W. Bush (born 1946) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In the images of celebrating Iraqis we have also seen the ageless appeal of human freedom. Decades of lies and intimidation could not make the Iraqi people love their oppressors or desire their own enslavement. Men and women in every culture need liberty like they need food and water and air. Everywhere that freedom arrives, humanity rejoices and everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.”
George W. Bush (born 1946) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Mister President and Madam first lady, distinguished guests, and residents of Goree Island, citizens of Senegal, I'm honored to begin my visit to Africa in your beautiful country. For hundreds of years on this island, peoples of different continents met in fear and cruelty. Today, we gather in respect and friendship, mindful of past wrongs and dedicated to the advance of human liberty.”
George W. Bush (born 1946) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And this afternoon, I have a message for the Iraqi people: You will not have to fear the rule of Saddam Hussein ever again. All Iraqis who take the side of freedom have taken the winning side. The goals of our coalition are the same as your goals — sovereignty for your country, dignity for your great culture, and for every Iraqi citizen, the opportunity for a better life.”
George W. Bush (born 1946) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lacking the military strength to challenge us directly, the terrorists have chosen the weapon of fear. When they murder children at a school in Beslan or blow up commuters in London or behead a bound captive the terrorists hope these horrors will break our will, allowing the violent to inherit the earth. But they have miscalculated: We love our freedom, and we will fight to keep it.”
George W. Bush (born 1946) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is because you yourself fear the propaganda created, after all, only by the stupidity of your own bigots.”
Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I know nothing of that directly; I only know what I have been told by other young ones who couldn't have known directly either. I want to find out the truth about them and the wanting has grown until there is more of curiosity in me than fear.”
Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I fear my ignorance.”
Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That's the spirit. Greg has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me. Come to the dark side, Sarah. We have cookies.”
Linus Torvalds (born 1969) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If we're offensive and pose a threat You fear what we represent is a mess You've missed the message that says it all And you'll never know why Oh no, you'll never know why We rock”
Ozzy Osbourne (1948–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Fear is the brother of hate.”
Larry Niven (born 1938) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The best state for human nature is that in which, while no one is poor, no one desires to be richer, nor has any reason to fear being thrust back by the efforts of others to push themselves forward.”
John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) said by 1873 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My terrible fear of dying No longer plays with me, for now I know that I'm needed For the symphony.”
“Our engineer had a different idea From people who nearly died but survived, Feeling no fear of leaving their bodies here, And went to a room that was soon full of visitors.”
“Where angels fear to tread, You go rushing in. Stay out of this You must not interfere Don't you see this is Between a man and a woman?”
“There is shadow under this red rock (Come in under the shadow of this red rock), And I will show you something different from either Your shadow at morning striding behind you Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you; I will show you fear in a handful of dust.”
T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) said by 1965 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control, These three alone lead life to sovereign power. Yet not for power (power of herself Would come uncall'd for) but to live by law, Acting the law we live by without fear; And, because right is right, to follow right Were wisdom in the scorn of consequence.”
Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892) said by 1892 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He saw her from the bottom of the stairs Before she saw him. She was starting down, Looking back over her shoulder at some fear. She took a doubtful step and then undid it To raise herself and look again. He spoke Advancing toward her: "What is it you see From up there always?—for I want to know.”
Robert Frost (1874–1963) said by 1963 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I never dared be radical when young For fear it would make me conservative when old.”
Robert Frost (1874–1963) said by 1963 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Courage is of the heart by derivation, And great it is. But fear is of the soul.”
Robert Frost (1874–1963) first seen 1947 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Masque of Mercy (1947)
“I could not know, Whether I suffered, or I did: For all seemed guilt, remorse or woe, My own or others still the same Life-stifling fear, soul-stifling shame!”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) first seen 1803 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Pains of Sleep", st. 2 (wr. 1803; pub. 1816)
“He has no native Passion, because he is not a Thinker — & has probably weakened his Intellect by the haunting Fear of becoming extravagant.”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) first seen 1802 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to William Sotheby (10 September 1802)
“How many of our virtues originate in the fear of Death — & that while we flatter ourselves that we are melting in Christian Sensibility over the sorrows of our human Brethren and Sisteren, we are in fact, tho' perhaps unconsciously, moved at the prospect of our own End — for who sincerely pities Sea-sickness, Toothache, or a fit of the Gout in a lusty Good-liver of 50?”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) first seen 1825 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to James Gillman (9 October 1825)
“Swiftly walk over the western wave, Spirit of Night! Out of the misty eastern cave Where, all the long and lone daylight, Thou wovest dreams of joy and fear, Which make thee terrible and dear, — Swift be thy flight!”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) first seen 1821 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To Night (1821), st. 1
“Fear not the future, weep not for the past.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) said by 1822 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My Song, I fear that thou wilt find but few Who fitly shalt conceive thy reasoning, Of such hard matter dost thou entertain; Whence, if by misadventure, chance should bring Thee to base company (as chance may do), Quite unaware of what thou dost contain, I prithee, comfort thy sweet self again, My last delight! tell them that they are dull, And bid them own that thou art beautiful.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) said by 1822 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.”
Edmund Burke (1729–1797) said by 1797 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The concessions of the weak are the concessions of fear.”
Edmund Burke (1729–1797) said by 1797 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Early and provident fear is the mother of safety.”
Edmund Burke (1729–1797) first seen 1792 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech on the Petition of the Unitarians (11 May 1792), volume vii, p. 50
“I have had the experience of having my sister get up at a meeting at Columbia University, where these scholars from all over the world were anointing Fear of Flying as a classic. And my sister got up and said, "Erica Jong has ruined my life — with her books.”
Erica Jong (born 1942) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“when I look back on the years since I left college, and I try to sum up what I have learned, it is precisely that: not to fear change, not to expect my life to be immutable.”
Erica Jong (born 1942) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We meet in an hour of change and challenge, in a decade of hope and fear, in an age of both knowledge and ignorance. The greater our knowledge increases, the greater our ignorance unfolds.”
John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) said by 1963 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And is not peace, in the last analysis, basically a matter of human rights — the right to live out our lives without fear of devastation — the right to breathe air as nature provided it — the right of future generations to a healthy existence?”
John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) said by 1963 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star”
E. E. Cummings (1894–1962) first seen 1954 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: being to timelessness as it's to time" in TLS (1954) and in 95 Poems (1958)
“without any doubt he was whatever(first and last) most people fear most: a mystery for which iv'e no word except alive”
E. E. Cummings (1894–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source