Certainty Quote by Audre Lorde
“The speaking will get easier and easier. And you will find you have fallen in love with your own vision, which you may never have realized you had. And you will lose some friends and lovers, and realize you don't miss them. And new ones will find you and cherish you. And at last you'll know with surpassing certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Speaking Voice,” 1990, from “Sister Outsider” collection
The author describes how speaking one’s truth becomes increasingly natural, yet the greatest fear remains the silence of not speaking at all.
In simple terms: Speaking truth becomes easier, but not speaking is the real terror.
Embrace speaking your truth despite fear of silence.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- writing
- conflict resolution
- personal therapy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What truth have you been avoiding?
- How does silence affect your relationships?
Fear of speaking may be amplified by external oppression or internal doubt.