Each person bears a fear which is special to him. One man…
“Each person bears a fear which is special to him. One man fears a close space and another man fears drowning; each laughs at the other and calls him stupid. Thus fear is only a preference, to be counted the same as the preference for one woman or another, or mutton for pig, or cabbage for onion.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Fear is subjective and varies per individual, yet people often mock each other's fears as irrational.
In simple terms: Fear is personal and often mocked by others.
Respect others’ fears as valid.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
- self-awareness
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we ridicule others’ fears?
- How can we foster empathy toward differing fears?
Mocking fear can deepen misunderstanding.