--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The important thing is fear should not…" description: "\"The important thing is fear should not control your actions. It should not dictate what you do.\" — Aung San Suu Kyi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/aung-san-suu-kyi-922_action_the-important-thing-is-fear-should-not-c_1447142.jpg" --- # The important thing is fear should not control your… ![“The important thing is fear should not control your actions. It should not dictate what you do.” quote by Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/aung-san-suu-kyi-922_action_the-important-thing-is-fear-should-not-c_1447142.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/aung-san-suu-kyi-922_action_the-important-thing-is-fear-should-not-c_1447142.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/aung-san-suu-kyi-922_action_the-important-thing-is-fear-should-not-c_1447142.jpg) > “The important thing is fear should not control your actions. It should not dictate what you do.” [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear should not dictate behavior; one must act despite fear. **In simple terms:** Do not let fear control you. Key Takeaway Act with courage, not fear. Themes courage self‑control empowerment Mood determined hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - activism - career decisions Key Concepts psychology political activism personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize when fear is influencing you? - What steps can you take to act despite fear? A Different Perspective Fear can be paralyzing if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Important things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-things/) ## Related quotes > [“We can choose not to allow the choices and actions of someone else to dictate our own.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-andrews/we-can-choose-not-to-allow-the-choices-and-actions-of-someone-else-to/) [Andy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-andrews/) > [You can only control your own actions. Not other peoples reactions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-giffin/you-can-only-control-your-own-actions-not-other-peoples-reactions/) [Emily Giffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-giffin/) > [If our feelings control our actions, it is because we have abdicated our responsibility and empowered them to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-our-feelings-control-our-actions-it-is-because-we-have-abdicated/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“can’t control anyone else’s actions, only how you respond to them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trish-cook/can-t-control-anyone-else-s-actions-only-how-you-respond-to-them/) [Trish Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trish-cook/) > [“I can only control my actions, not their reactions," Senna replied. "But I have to live with both.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-argyle/i-can-only-control-my-actions-not-their-reactions-senna-replied-but-i/) [Amber Argyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-argyle/) > [I can only control myself, my actions, my work ethic, and my attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-krieger/i-can-only-control-myself-my-actions-my-work-ethic-and-my-attitude/) [Ali Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-krieger/) > [I know that I cannot control anyone else's actions but my own, and how I choose to react to situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-willett/i-know-that-i-cannot-control-anyone-else-s-actions-but-my-own-and-how/) [Erin Willett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-willett/) > [When dealing with difficult people, remember you can't control their actions, only your own reactions to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-dealing-with-difficult-people-remember-you-can-t-control-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One cannot control the actions of others, but we are responsible for what we do. People say things such as, "I can't do this,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/one-cannot-control-the-actions-of-others-but-we-are-responsible-for/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS ALL I CAN CONTROL IS HOW I REACT TO THESE SITUATIONS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/i-have-no-control-over-the-actions-of-others-all-i-can-control-is-how/) [DEEPAK CHOPRA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“You can't control your feelings but you can control the actions that come with those feelings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-mercier/you-can-t-control-your-feelings-but-you-can-control-the-actions-that/) Craig Mercier > [You can only control your own actions. Not other people’s reactions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-giffin/you-can-only-control-your-own-actions-not-other-people-s-reactions/) [Emily Giffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-giffin/) > [My happiness isn't connected to my husband's or my boss's or my children's behavior. You have control over your own actions, your own well-being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/my-happiness-isn-t-connected-to-my-husband-s-or-my-boss-s-or-my/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [. . . unfortunately, we can't control the actions of everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/unfortunately-we-can-t-control-the-actions-of-everyone/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [“While we have absolutely no control over the actions of others, we do have total and complete control over how we react. What if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-fenton/while-we-have-absolutely-no-control-over-the-actions-of-others-we-do/) [Richard Fenton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-fenton/) ## More by Aung San Suu Kyi > [The best way to help Burma is to empower the people of Burma, to help us have enough self-confidence to obtain what we want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/the-best-way-to-help-burma-is-to-empower-the-people-of-burma-to-help/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [Taking sides cannot bring peace and balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/taking-sides-cannot-bring-peace-and-balance/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [It is often in the name of cultural integrity as well as social stability and national security that democratic reforms based on human rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/it-is-often-in-the-name-of-cultural-integrity-as-well-as-social/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [Fear is a habit; I am not afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/fear-is-a-habit-i-am-not-afraid/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [Of course I regret not having been able to spend time with my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/of-course-i-regret-not-having-been-able-to-spend-time-with-my-family/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [Fearlessness may be a gift but perhaps more precious is the courage acquired through endeavour, courage that comes from cultivating the habit of refusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/fearlessness-may-be-a-gift-but-perhaps-more-precious-is-the-courage/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [“In one of her letters she writes: Some have questioned the appropriateness of talking about such matters as metta (loving-kindness) and thissa (truth) in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/in-one-of-her-letters-she-writes-some-have-questioned-the/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [Burmese authors and artists can play the role that artists everywhere play. They help to mold the outlook of a society - not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/burmese-authors-and-artists-can-play-the-role-that-artists-everywhere/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [After all it was my father who founded the Burmese army and I do have a sense of warmth towards the Burmese army.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/after-all-it-was-my-father-who-founded-the-burmese-army-and-i-do-have/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [A most insidious form of fear is that which masquerades as common sense or even wisdom, condemning as foolish, reckless, insignificant or futile the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/a-most-insidious-form-of-fear-is-that-which-masquerades-as-common/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [If you give in to intimidation, you'll go on being intimidated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/if-you-give-in-to-intimidation-you-ll-go-on-being-intimidated/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [I don't want to see the military falling. I want to see the military rising to dignified heights of professionalism and true patriotism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/i-don-t-want-to-see-the-military-falling-i-want-to-see-the-military/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [One prisoner of conscience is one too many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/one-prisoner-of-conscience-is-one-too-many/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [It would be difficult to dispel ignorance unless there is freedom to pursue the truth unfettered by fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/it-would-be-difficult-to-dispel-ignorance-unless-there-is-freedom-to/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [I think more women should be involved in politics for the good of the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/i-think-more-women-should-be-involved-in-politics-for-the-good-of-the/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) [Explore all 328 Aung San Suu Kyi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. 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