Skip to content

To have faith requires courage, the ability to take a…

“To have faith requires courage, the ability to take a risk, the readiness even to accept pain and disappointment. Whoever insists on safety and security as primary conditions of life cannot have faith; whoever shuts himself off in a system of defense, where distance and possession are his means of…” quote by Erich Fromm
Download Open image
“To have faith requires courage, the ability to take a risk, the readiness even to accept pain and disappointment. Whoever insists on safety and security as primary conditions of life cannot have faith; whoever shuts himself off in a system of defense, where distance and possession are his means of security, makes himself a prisoner. To be loved, and to love, need courage, the courage to judge certain values as of ultimate concern – and to take the jump and to stake everything on these values.”

Erich Fromm

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Faith demands courage, risk‑taking, and willingness to endure pain; safety‑seeking blocks it.

In simple terms: Faith needs courage and risk, not safety.

Key Takeaway

Embrace risk and openness to love.

Themes

courage faith love

Mood

inspirational thoughtful

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

  • relationships
  • personal growth
  • spiritual practice
  • career decisions

Key Concepts

existential risk vulnerability

Questions to Reflect On

  • What risks have you avoided?
  • How might vulnerability deepen love?
A Different Perspective

Safety can become a prison limiting true faith.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Erich Fromm

Explore all 558 Erich Fromm quotes

More Ability quotes

Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes