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Fear

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“Well, say he had ? Would it tear his plane to pieces ? I am quite willing, for anyone who will pay my expenses, to pilot a fighter plane through a Skyhook balloon any time of the day or night and observe the results, without very much fear of hurting myself. But when has a Skyhook ever cruised along at 250 m.p.h., or risen sharply at 400 m.p.h., with orange flames, etc., etc., into the bargain?”
George Adamski (1891–1965) said by 1965 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We are human animals and thus fear death as animals do. The so-called “will to live” is nothing more than a different name for animal instinct. I am but one of these human animals, and when I observe my loss of interest in food and women, I realize I have gradually lost this animal instinct. Now I reside in a world of diseased nerves, as translucent as ice.”
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1892–1927) first seen 1927 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Note to a Certain Old Friend (1927)
“I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. And then I want you to act. (to the annual convention of CEOs and world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January)”
Greta Thunberg (born 2003) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in 2019 Person of the Year Greta Thunberg, by Charlotte Alter, Suyin Haynes, and Justin Worland, Time (December 2019)
“Our house is on fire. I am here to say, our house is on fire. [...] Adults keep saying: “We owe it to the young people to give them hope.” But I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. And then I want you to act. I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.”
Greta Thunberg (born 2003) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Greta Thunberg, 16, urges leaders to act on climate, The Guardian (25 January 2019)
“GOP defensively say, “we’re not scared of dancing women!” yet proceed to use footage of me dancing “with the color drained to make it look more ominous.” 🤣 Spoiler: The GOP *is* scared of dancing women, because they fear the liberation of all identities taught to feel shame.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (born 1989) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Twitter post, (28 February 2019)
“What’s haunting is that the women I met with today told me in no uncertain terms that they would experience retribution for telling us what they shared.They all began sobbing - out of fear of being punished, out of sickness, out of desperation, lack of sleep, trauma, despair.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (born 1989) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Twitter, (1 July 2019)
“Political elite warmongers are carelessly fomenting fear intentions between nuclear powers. Perhaps it's because they are confident that they will have access to nuclear shelters for themselves and for their families that regular people won't have access.”
Tulsi Gabbard (born 1981) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Tulsi Gabbard releases ‘unhinged’ video claiming ‘warmongers’ want a nuclear conflict they know they’ll survive" Independent (June 10, 2025)
“For me to deal with my own anxieties about it and my friends' anxieties, I can create art. That's how I feel better about things... ["Quiet"] was just a way of giving people some space to feel love and hope in this time of fear mongering.”
MILCK (born 1986) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Given China’s vast consumer base, locals increasingly fear being outspent. They also complain that their orderly, law-abiding culture is being eroded by uncouth, rapacious visitors. When arguments break out, Hong Kongers call the mainlanders locusts, and the mainlanders dismiss the locals as lapdogs of the British.”
Jiayang Fan (born 1984) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Being communists, we fear nothing.”
Abimael Guzmán (1934–2021) said by 2021 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Discrimination takes many forms, and if you look at the root of it, it’s fear, envy, jealousy, and a lot of ugly, petty emotions.”
Margot Kidder (1948–2018) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On discrimination, The Advocate (2008)
“ICE raids across the country have torn mothers apart from their children. The raids lack transparency, spread fear, and harm public safety. Breaking up families and separating kids from their parents is wrong. We can keep America safe without being callous. We must do better.”
Kamala Harris (born 1964) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Kamala Harris, Facebook, (February 15, 2017)
“No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.”
Kamala Harris (born 1964) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Twitter, (29 January 2019); regarding Jussie Smollett, before it became clear he had staged a fake hate crime.
“If one wants to talk about real violence against Christians, surely the persecution of the early Christians should count. Yet every New Testament command on the subject calls us to love and pray for our enemies with the confidence that Christ is still building his church. Then why does the appeal to fear work so consistently with many who claim to stand in the line of Jesus’ disciples...”
Michael Horton (theologian) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'd like to ask for your forgiveness for all the harm I caused you, even though I know what I did is unforgivable, In spite of everything that was said, I am not a terrorist, nor Islamophobic … [I am] more a person who was carried away by fear and a horrible form of despair. I don't know why I committed such a senseless act.”
Alexandre Bissonnette (born 1989) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 28 March 2018
“Orwell [in]"1984" explained that "the special function of certain Newspeak words … was not so much to express meanings as to destroy them." When terrorists attack, they’re terrorizing. When we attack, we’re retaliating. When they respond to our retaliation with further attacks, they’re terrorizing again... At all times, Americans must be kept fully informed about who to hate and fear...”
Norman Solomon (born 1951) first seen 1998 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Orwellian Logic 101 — A Few Simple Lessons", in FAIR (27 August 1998)
“Someday, if we survive the mess we’ve made of the planet, someone will compile a detailed sociological examination of how this constant torrent of mind bombs came to affect the population. For many, I fear, the ultimate result is inaction due to confusion, consternation and livid frustration.”
William Rivers Pitt (1971–2022) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Problem Is Not “Fake News.” It’s the Noise That Drowns Out the News". Truthout (9 February 2019)
“We fear what we don’t know.”
Nnedi Okorafor (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Fear is a prison, and only by facing it can we truly be free.”
Nnedi Okorafor (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To come to the end of a time of anxiety and fear! To feel the cloud that hung over us lift and disperse—the cloud that dulled the heart and made happiness no more than a memory! This at least is one joy that must have been known by almost every living creature.”
Richard Adams (1920–2016) said by 2016 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As Cain was a wanderer and an outcast, not to be killed by anyone but marked with the sign of fear on his forehead, so the Jews ... against whom the voice of the blood of Christ cries out ... although they are not to be killed they must always be dispersed as wanderers upon the face of the earth.”
Pope Innocent III (1160–1216) said by 1216 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Migne, Patrologia, CCXV, 1291. See The Talmud Unmasked by J. B. Pranaitis, p. 89
“Only cowards fear danger; the palm of glory grows nowhere but on the battle-field.”
Pope Callixtus III (1379–1458) first seen 1458 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remark (1458), quoted in Ludwig Pastor, The History of the Popes from the Close of the Middle Ages, Volume II (1891), p. 387
“So, with the crash of artillery, in the dark, with hatred, and fear, and reckless daring, new Russia was being born.”
John Reed (journalist) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Bolshevism — what fear and anger the word arouses in the minds of the rulers of society!”
C. E. Ruthenberg (1882–1927) first seen 1919 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Bolshevists: Grave-Diggers of Capitalism" (1919)
“The thing is, all of us think that fear is just a thing you choose to overcome but its not, all of us face it in some way you dont have to be on a stage whether is parenting, running a business, speaking out on something you believe in, it can scare us all.”
Torrie Wilson (born 1975) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Fear only has one enemy and that is a confident persona.”
Torrie Wilson (born 1975) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What's released me most from the fear of aging is self-awareness. I've never determined my value based on my looks or anything physical. I've been through a lot in life, and what has gotten me through is strength of character and faith.”
Viola Davis (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Phenomenon of Man was limited to private circulation during Teilhard's lifetime because the church forbade him to publish it. In it, he warned that a mind awakened to this evolutionary concept may experience fear and disorientation. It must create a new equilibrium for everything that had once been tidy in its inner world. “It is dazzled when it emerges from its dark prison.”
Marilyn Ferguson (1938–2008) said by 2008 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In his 1918 diary, Hermann Hesse recalled a dream in which he heard two distinct voices. The first told him to seek out forces to overcome suffering, to calm himself. It sounded like parents, school, Kant, the church fathers. But the second voice—which sounded farther off, like "primal cause"—said that suffering only hurts because you fear it, complain about it, flee it.”
Marilyn Ferguson (1938–2008) said by 2008 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Conflict, pain, tension, fear, paradox... these are transformations trying to happen. Once we confront them, the transformative process begins.”
Marilyn Ferguson (1938–2008) said by 2008 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Just so, our natural power is sapped by the parasites of the centuries: fear, superstition, a view of reality that reduces life's wonders to creaking machinery. If we starve these parasitic beliefs they will die.”
Marilyn Ferguson (1938–2008) said by 2008 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We begin to see the unease and disease of our adult lives as elaborate patterns that emerged from a system that taught us young how to be still, look backward, look to authority, construct certainties. The fear of learning—and transformation—is the inevitable product of such a system.”
Marilyn Ferguson (1938–2008) said by 2008 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Be fearless, let fearlessness radiate from you and dispel fear in the hearts of others.”
Govinda Bhagavatpada wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The fear of failure isn’t an easy thing to sit with, but it’s also what pushes you to try your hardest no matter the cost.”
Mark Holyoake (born 1983) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I believe the problem lies in the older generations who have suffered terribly on all sides through violence and fear... My generation has a responsibility to not restrain the youth by our bigotry and division.”
Mairead Maguire (born 1944) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Nobel winner Mairead Maguire in alternative Northern Ireland talks proposal, Belfast Telegraph, Steven Alexander (18 September 2018)
“We may be a small party and a small country but we can stand tall if we stand together and if we stand up for our principles. Real independence means collectively lifting our people out of poverty leaving no-one behind, building a future based on hope not on fear.”
Leanne Wood (born 1971) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Plaid Cymru elect Leanne Wood as new leader, BBC News, 15 March 2012
“I've been quite surprised by how so many people have been able to be persuaded around this question of fear of immigration. We've got a week now to try to persuade as many people as possible that it is in Wales' best interests to Remain as a part of the European Union.”
Leanne Wood (born 1971) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: EU referendum: Leave campaign's strength surprises Wood BBC News (16 June 2016)
“I fear we've ended up in this situation because of irresponsible politicians trying to use rhetoric against immigration in order to make political points, for example for Brexit. But we've opened a can of worms now and we are potentially in quite a dangerous situation.”
Leanne Wood (born 1971) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood's call to 'reclaim politics' BBC News (21 October 2016)
“What we know about the Tories is that they want to reduce the amount of money that government spends. So my fear is that Brexit will be used as an opportunity by them to reduce the amount of investment we get in Wales.”
Leanne Wood (born 1971) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: What will Brexit mean for funding in Wales? BBC News (18 September 2017)
“Against the obvious dictatorship of the globalist bourgeoisie we have to develop the idea of a proletarian dictatorship, that nobody has to fear, since it's the only true democracy for the people.”
Marco Rizzo (born 1959) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Meeting "With Stalin", 18 March 2013
“While it is clear that the UK needs a plan to defeat extremism and fundamentalism in all its forms and identities, I fear that the current UKIP leadership believes the best way to do that is to incubate and cultivate a rival fundamentalism”
Michelle Brown (born 1969) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: UKIP down to three AMs after Michelle Brown resigns BBC News (26 March 2019)
“It's very possible that after this (extradition) law (of Hong Kong with Mainland China is passed), everyone will live in fear.”
Chiu Chui-cheng first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Chiu Chui-cheng (2019) cited in "Extradition law could hurt Hong Kong: MAC" on Taipei Times, 5 May 2019
“Men build all kinds of worlds in order to defeat fear and loneliness.”
Jack Cady (1932–2004) said by 2004 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The beast has long since stopped serving to become the master. The Confed did what governments were famed for: it made more government. To oppose it was treason, and worth death. Even a monster has fear.”
Steve Perry (author) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But her first reaction was from fear. Her very best, most potent trick suddenly didn't work anymore. Her first thought probably was that something was wrong with you. But her second thought would have been that something was wrong with her. Had to be pretty scary.”
Steve Perry (author) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My lord, I am without fear!”
Ishbi-Erra (2101–1985 BC) said by 1985 BC at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The boss drives his men; the leader coaches them. The boss depends upon authority; the leader on goodwill. The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm. The boss says 'I'; the leader, 'We'. The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown; the leader fixes the breakdown. The boss knows how it is done; the leader shows how. The boss says 'Go'; the leader says 'Let's go.”
Harry Gordon Selfridge (1858–1947) first seen 1937 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted by Elmer Wheeler, Tested Sentences that Sell (1937) citing B. C. Forbes.
“I fear that having tried to be a good leader over the years, I have proved a poor daughter, sister, partner and friend. The party and my work has always come first, often at the expense of commitments to loved ones.”
Ruth Davidson (born 1978) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Her resignation letter on Twitter (29 August 2019) cited in Ruth Davidson quits as Scottish Conservative leader BBC News (29 August 2019)
“Great hero, strongest in heaven and earth! Ninurta, who controls perfectly the fifty divine powers in the E-kur! Governor for his father, rising raging storm, who extends terror [...] towards the foreign countries. [...] Who casts fear upon the people, who has no rival! Ninurta, surpassing in vigour! [...] Great and majestic strength, [...] ornament of the august shrine!”
Ishme-Dagan (2001–1935 BC) said by 1935 BC at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“From what seeds does this weed of conventionality grow? From mental laziness, fear- of what others will think; vanity- or the capacity to be hurt by what they will say; and superstition- or the false notion that what the majority think must be right.”
Cyril Scott (1879–1970) said by 1970 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source