--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my…" description: "\"I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a \"threat\" to those who don't..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5db/benjamin-watson-26563_abiding_i-m-fearful-because-in-the-back-of-my-mi_649151.jpg" --- # I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that… ![“I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a "threat" to those who don't know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.” quote by Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5db/benjamin-watson-26563_abiding_i-m-fearful-because-in-the-back-of-my-mi_649151.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5db/benjamin-watson-26563_abiding_i-m-fearful-because-in-the-back-of-my-mi_649151.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5db/benjamin-watson-26563_abiding_i-m-fearful-because-in-the-back-of-my-mi_649151.jpg) > “I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a "threat" to those who don't know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.” [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Feeling fear of being perceived as a threat despite good intentions, prompting extra effort to earn trust. **In simple terms:** Fear of judgment leads to overcompensating. Key Takeaway Earn trust through consistent actions. Themes trust self‑esteem perception effort Mood anxious determined Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - job interview - new community - team integration - customer service Key Concepts social anxiety identity bias reputation Questions to Reflect On - How can you demonstrate reliability without exhausting yourself? - What steps can reduce others’ bias? A Different Perspective Overcompensation can cause burnout if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benefit of the doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefit-of-the-doubt/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Extra mile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extra-mile/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fearful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fearful/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Law abiding citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law-abiding-citizen/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat/) ## Related quotes > [I've been a law-abiding citizen ever since I grew up in the Bronx, New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wesley-snipes/i-ve-been-a-law-abiding-citizen-ever-since-i-grew-up-in-the-bronx-new/) [Wesley Snipes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wesley-snipes/) > [The law-abiding citizen by his labor serves both himself and his fellow man and thereby integrates himself peacefully into the social order. The robber,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/the-law-abiding-citizen-by-his-labor-serves-both-himself-and-his/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [The more sinful and guilty a person tends to feel, the less chance there is that he will be a happy, healthy, or law-abiding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/the-more-sinful-and-guilty-a-person-tends-to-feel-the-less-chance/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [We wouldn't take a gun away from a law-abiding citizen. We wouldn't take a gun away from anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/we-wouldn-t-take-a-gun-away-from-a-law-abiding-citizen-we-wouldn-t/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [I'm a very law-abiding citizen, and I've never consciously broken any law. I get nervous just jaywalking in Los Angeles!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/i-m-a-very-law-abiding-citizen-and-i-ve-never-consciously-broken-any/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/there-s-no-way-to-rule-innocent-men-the-only-power-any-government-has-2/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [I think ultimately that the rules that you make for gun control, people who are intent on killing themselves aren't too concerned with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-ultimately-that-the-rules-that-you-make-for-gun-control/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I truly believe that firearms in the hands of law abiding citizen's makes our families and our communities more safe, not less safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-truly-believe-that-firearms-in-the-hands-of-law-abiding-citizen-s/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [A government that does not trust it's law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is itself unworthy of trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-government-that-does-not-trust-it-s-law-abiding-citizens-to-keep/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Armed and law-abiding citizens are a greater deterrent to violent crime than 1,000 laws passed by Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/armed-and-law-abiding-citizens-are-a-greater-deterrent-to-violent/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [ You know what the \[Barack\] Obama administration keeps getting wrong is whenever anything bad happens they focus on law-abiding citizens instead of focusing on… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/you-know-what-the-barack-obama-administration-keeps-getting-wrong-is/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [“One legislator accused me of having a 19th-century attitude on law and order. That is a totally false charge. I have an 18th-century attitude.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-legislator-accused-me-of-having-a-19th-century-attitude-on-law/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I say the phone records of law abiding citizens are none of their damn business!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-say-the-phone-records-of-law-abiding-citizens-are-none-of-their/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [A fearful mind builds a wall between you and your dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kishore-bansal/a-fearful-mind-builds-a-wall-between-you-and-your-dream/) [Kishore Bansal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kishore-bansal/) > [Fearful mind close the door for great occassions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kishore-bansal/fearful-mind-close-the-door-for-great-occassions/) [Kishore Bansal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kishore-bansal/) ## More by Benjamin Watson > [I'M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I've seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/i-m-offended-because-of-the-insulting-comments-i-ve-seen-that-are-not/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [I'M HOPELESS, because I've lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I'm not surprised and at some point my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/i-m-hopeless-because-i-ve-lived-long-enough-to-expect-things-like/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [I'M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/i-m-frustrated-because-pop-culture-music-and-movies-glorify-these/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/the-cure-for-the-michael-brown-trayvon-martin-tamir-rice-and-eric/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [It's a sin problem, not a skin problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/it-s-a-sin-problem-not-a-skin-problem/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [You CAN be what you want to be. Whatever that is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/you-can-be-what-you-want-to-be-whatever-that-is/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [I'M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/i-m-hopeful-because-i-know-that-while-we-still-have-race-issues-in/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [A consistent and heart-filled effort to completion is the foundation of excellent work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/a-consistent-and-heart-filled-effort-to-completion-is-the-foundation/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [I'M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/i-m-sympathetic-because-i-wasn-t-there-so-i-don-t-know-exactly-what/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [I'M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take "our" side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/i-m-introspective-because-sometimes-i-want-to-take-our-side-without/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [When we look at our children, I think a lot of the troubles we're having as a society is because we don't have strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/when-we-look-at-our-children-i-think-a-lot-of-the-troubles-we-re/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [I'M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/i-m-sad-because-another-young-life-was-lost-from-his-family-the/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [I'M CONFUSED, because I don't know why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don't know why some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/i-m-confused-because-i-don-t-know-why-it-s-so-hard-to-obey-a/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [I believe that I have a platform because God blessed me with the talent to play football. Having that talent, my job is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/i-believe-that-i-have-a-platform-because-god-blessed-me-with-the/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) > [If fathers aren't growing up, I would challenge them to want to be a father that is present in the home, so that their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-watson/if-fathers-aren-t-growing-up-i-would-challenge-them-to-want-to-be-a/) [Benjamin Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) [Explore all 21 Benjamin Watson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-watson/) ## More Abiding quotes > [If there is an abiding theme in 'The Pursuit of Happiness,' it is the idea that you come into the world already shaped by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-kennedy/if-there-is-an-abiding-theme-in-the-pursuit-of-happiness-it-is-the/) [Douglas Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-kennedy/) > [Why is it, my shadow-striding friend, that we don't fear dreams? We lose consciousness, lose control, things happen with no apparent logic and abiding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/why-is-it-my-shadow-striding-friend-that-we-don-t-fear-dreams-we-lose/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [I think that there is just a deep and abiding sexism that's part of your life from the moment that you're conscious as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-w-garcia/i-think-that-there-is-just-a-deep-and-abiding-sexism-that-s-part-of/) [Liz W. Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-w-garcia/) > [Faith is the capacity of the soul to perceive the abiding, the invisible in the visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-baeck/faith-is-the-capacity-of-the-soul-to-perceive-the-abiding-the/) [Leo Baeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-baeck/) > [I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country. I think it's important for us to recognize that we've got a tradition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-we-have-two-conflicting-traditions-in-this-country-i-think-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [A wicked mortal is not the idea of God. He is little else than the expression of error. To suppose that sin, lust, hatred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-baker-eddy/a-wicked-mortal-is-not-the-idea-of-god-he-is-little-else-than-the/) [Mary Baker Eddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-baker-eddy/) > [When the penalty for a policeman's mistake is to put a criminal back out on the street, then we are hurting America; we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/when-the-penalty-for-a-policeman-s-mistake-is-to-put-a-criminal-back/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) > [The value of a dollar is to buy just things; a dollar goes on increasing in value with all the genius and all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-value-of-a-dollar-is-to-buy-just-things-a-dollar-goes-on/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The aims of these three groups are entirely irreconcilable. The aim of the High is to remain where they are. The aim of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/the-aims-of-these-three-groups-are-entirely-irreconcilable-the-aim-of/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [After more than two decades of trying to destroy the firearms rights of more than 80 million law-abiding American gun owners - and statistically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-gottlieb/after-more-than-two-decades-of-trying-to-destroy-the-firearms-rights/) Alan Gottlieb > [When you defile the pleasant streams, And the wild bird's abiding place, You massacre a million dreams, And cast your spittle in God's face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-drinkwater/when-you-defile-the-pleasant-streams-and-the-wild-bird-s-abiding/) [John Drinkwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-drinkwater/) > [How can we hope to retain our freedom through the generations if we fail to teach our young that our liberty springs from an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-falwell/how-can-we-hope-to-retain-our-freedom-through-the-generations-if-we/) [Jonathan Falwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-falwell/) > [Love and friendship, two of life's abiding rewards, are endangered species in Hollywood. People crave both, mistaking alliance for friendship, lust for love, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-obst/love-and-friendship-two-of-life-s-abiding-rewards-are-endangered/) [Lynda Obst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-obst/) > [In a government like ours, the Crown is the abiding and unshakable element in government; politicians may come and go, but the Crown remains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/in-a-government-like-ours-the-crown-is-the-abiding-and-unshakable/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [I sometimes forget that life is fragile. The fact that I have more time to dream my dreams and take my ease is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luci-swindoll/i-sometimes-forget-that-life-is-fragile-the-fact-that-i-have-more/) [Luci Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luci-swindoll/) Browse all 387 Abiding quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a \"threat\" to those who don't know me. 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