I do not understand exactly what you mean by fear," said…
““I do not understand exactly what you mean by fear," said Tarzan. "Like lions, fear is a different thing in different men, but to me the only pleasure in the hunt is the knowledge that the hunted thing has power to harm me as much as I have to harm him. If I went out with a couple of rifles and a gun bearer, and twenty or thirty beaters, to hunt a lion, I should not feel that the lion had much chance, and so the pleasure of the hunt would be lessened in proportion to the increased safety which I felt." "Then I am to take it that Monsieur Tarzan would prefer to go naked into the jungle, armed only with a jackknife, to kill the king of beasts," laughed the other good naturedly, but with the merest touch of sarcasm in his tone. "And a piece of rope," added Tarzan.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Tarzan sees fear as a catalyst that makes the hunt thrilling; safety dulls the excitement because the risk is removed.
In simple terms: Fear makes danger exciting; safety makes it boring.
Key Takeaway
Embrace risk to feel alive.
Themes
risk
adventure
human nature
danger
thrill
Mood
intense
reflective
Type
philosophical
adventurous
When to use this quote
- hunting
- extreme sports
- solo travel
- career challenges
- creative projects
Key Concepts
psychology of fear
masculine identity
survival instinct
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you seek danger for excitement?
- How does safety affect your motivation?
A Different Perspective
Too much risk can lead to reckless behavior and unnecessary harm.