--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hope and fear are both phantoms that…" description: "\"Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear?\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/anonymous-1_arise_hope-and-fear-are-both-phantoms-that-ari_821411.jpg" --- # Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking… ![“Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear?” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/anonymous-1_arise_hope-and-fear-are-both-phantoms-that-ari_821411.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/anonymous-1_arise_hope-and-fear-are-both-phantoms-that-ari_821411.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/anonymous-1_arise_hope-and-fear-are-both-phantoms-that-ari_821411.jpg) > “Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear?” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that both hope and fear are illusory, stemming from self‑centered thinking; when the self is seen as not truly existing, fear disappears. **In simple terms:** Hope and fear are imagined when we focus on self; seeing self as illusion removes fear. Key Takeaway Recognize the self as construct to reduce fear. Themes philosophy psychology mindfulness Mood contemplative calm Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - meditation - cognitive therapy - spiritual practice - daily self‑inquiry Key Concepts self‑identity illusion attachment Questions to Reflect On - How does your sense of self create fear? - What practices help you see the self as construct? A Different Perspective May overlook external threats that are real. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arise/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Phantoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-phantoms-475835/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Hope Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope-fear/) [Hopes and fears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopes-and-fears/) [Phantoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phantoms/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-fear-475834/) [Self Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-self/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Because I know that hope and fear are connected, I put my mask of hope on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/because-i-know-that-hope-and-fear-are-connected-i-put-my-mask-of-hope/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [Hope and fear come from feeling that we lack something; they come from a sense of poverty. We can’t simply relax with ourselves. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/hope-and-fear-come-from-feeling-that-we-lack-something-they-come-from/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Twixt hope and fear, anxiety and anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/twixt-hope-and-fear-anxiety-and-anger/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/hope-and-fear-cannot-occupy-the-same-space-invite-one-to-stay/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [According to the state of a man's conscience, so do hope and fear on account of his deeds arise in his mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/according-to-the-state-of-a-man-s-conscience-so-do-hope-and-fear-on/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Hope, and fear. Twin forces that tugged at us first in one direction and then in another, and which was the stronger no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-markandaya/hope-and-fear-twin-forces-that-tugged-at-us-first-in-one-direction/) [Kamala Markandaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-markandaya/) > [Hope and fear are inseparable. There is no hope without fear, nor any fear without hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/hope-and-fear-are-inseparable-there-is-no-hope-without-fear-nor-any/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Hope and fear are inseparable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/hope-and-fear-are-inseparable/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Where then shall hope and fear their objects find?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ashbery/where-then-shall-hope-and-fear-their-objects-find/) [John Ashbery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ashbery/) > [There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another and lose themselves in dull indifference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-are-situations-in-which-hope-and-fear-run-together-in-which/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Hope and fear cannot alter the seasons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/hope-and-fear-cannot-alter-the-seasons/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [ Hope strengthens. Fear kills\[...\] That simple adage is master of every situation, every choice. Each morning we wake up, we get to choose between… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/hope-strengthens-fear-kills-that-simple-adage-is-master-of-every/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [As hope and fear alternate chase Our course through life's uncertain race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/as-hope-and-fear-alternate-chase-our-course-through-life-s-uncertain/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [When we have gone beyond the boundaries of hope and fear, we are able to work with whatever comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/when-we-have-gone-beyond-the-boundaries-of-hope-and-fear-we-are-able/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [...instead it seems that business - like weight loss - is a subject wherein hope and fear inspire limitless gullibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-krugman/instead-it-seems-that-business-like-weight-loss-is-a-subject-wherein/) [Paul Krugman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-krugman/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Arise quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The financial crisis we are facing today arises from the fact that there is almost no more social, cultural, natural, and spiritual capital left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-eisenstein/the-financial-crisis-we-are-facing-today-arises-from-the-fact-that/) [Charles Eisenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-eisenstein/) > [Let art, then, imitate nature, find what she desires, and follow as she directs. 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