--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man's fear of ideas is probably the…" description: "\"Man's fear of ideas is probably the greatest dike holding back human knowledge and happiness\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/anonymous-1_fear_man-s-fear-of-ideas-is-probably-the-grea_255338.jpg" --- # Man's fear of ideas is probably the greatest dike holding… ![“Man's fear of ideas is probably the greatest dike holding back human knowledge and happiness” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/anonymous-1_fear_man-s-fear-of-ideas-is-probably-the-grea_255338.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/anonymous-1_fear_man-s-fear-of-ideas-is-probably-the-grea_255338.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/anonymous-1_fear_man-s-fear-of-ideas-is-probably-the-grea_255338.jpg) > “Man's fear of ideas is probably the greatest dike holding back human knowledge and happiness” [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 warns that fear of new ideas blocks progress and joy. **In simple terms:** Fear of ideas blocks progress and happiness. Key Takeaway Embrace ideas to advance knowledge and happiness. Themes fear progress knowledge Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - education reform - research funding - creative workplaces - public policy Key Concepts psychology innovation human happiness Questions to Reflect On - How does fear shape your learning? - What ideas could you explore? A Different Perspective Ideas can be misused to justify oppression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Human knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-knowledge/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) ## Related quotes > [Fear of ideas makes us impotent and ineffective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/fear-of-ideas-makes-us-impotent-and-ineffective/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [“Just for the record, I have come to fear all of your ideas in advance, simply from having endured enough of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/violet-haberdasher/just-for-the-record-i-have-come-to-fear-all-of-your-ideas-in-advance/) [Violet Haberdasher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/violet-haberdasher/) > [Terrorism really doesn't strike at physical structures as much as it strikes at ideas, and its main fear is ideas. And cartoonists are particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ohman/terrorism-really-doesn-t-strike-at-physical-structures-as-much-as-it/) Jack Ohman > [Knowledge is not happiness, and science But an exchange of ignorance for that Which is another kind of ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/knowledge-is-not-happiness-and-science-but-an-exchange-of-ignorance/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [“There is life in happiness, power in giving and greatness in knowledge. Happiness cannot be purchased, power cannot be travelled to and knowledge cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osunsakin-adewale/there-is-life-in-happiness-power-in-giving-and-greatness-in-knowledge/) [Osunsakin Adewale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osunsakin-adewale/) > [Is it not in the struggle to obtain knowledge that happiness exists? I am very ignorant, consequently the conditions of happiness are mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fridtjof-nansen/is-it-not-in-the-struggle-to-obtain-knowledge-that-happiness-exists-i/) [Fridtjof Nansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fridtjof-nansen/) > [“Ah, not in knowledge is happiness, but in the acquisition of knowledge! In forever knowing, we are forever blessed; but to know all, were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/ah-not-in-knowledge-is-happiness-but-in-the-acquisition-of-knowledge/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [Knowledge is power." Rather, knowledge is happiness, because to have knowledge - broad, deep knowledge - is to know true ends from false, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/knowledge-is-power-rather-knowledge-is-happiness-because-to-have/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [As you know, no one over thirty years of age is afraid of tittle-tattle. I myself find it much less difficult to strangle a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-know-no-one-over-thirty-years-of-age-is-afraid-of-tittle/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Knowledge is happiness, because to have knowledge - broad, deep knowledge - is to know true ends from false, and lofty things from low.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/knowledge-is-happiness-because-to-have-knowledge-broad-deep-knowledge/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Trust no man. Fear no bitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/trust-no-man-fear-no-bitch/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [.:Never trust a man&never fear a hoe:.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-trust-a-man-never-fear-a-hoe/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A craven can be as brave as any man, when there is nothing to fear. And we all do our duty, when there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-craven-can-be-as-brave-as-any-man-when-there-is-nothing-to-fear-and-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Every man, through fear, mugs his aspirations a dozen times a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-man-through-fear-mugs-his-aspirations-a-dozen-times-a-day/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Historic changes and challenges. Breakthroughs in human knowledge and opportunity. And yet, for vast numbers across the globe, the daily realities have not altered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/historic-changes-and-challenges-breakthroughs-in-human-knowledge-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## 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 Fear quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [“...Often that which most we fear births the resolve that spurs us on to altitudes we could not have achieved, had we continued walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/often-that-which-most-we-fear-births-the-resolve-that-spurs-us-on-to/) [M.T. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) Nagisa Tatsumi > [“We all know how the thing we secretly fear is not a secret at all but the open and eternal thing that predicts its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/we-all-know-how-the-thing-we-secretly-fear-is-not-a-secret-at-all-but/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“I had nowhere to go and did not wish to be seen by anyone for fear they would recognize my sadness and so for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dewitt/i-had-nowhere-to-go-and-did-not-wish-to-be-seen-by-anyone-for-fear/) [Patrick deWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dewitt/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. 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