Afraid Quote by Betty Smith
““Her time has come," answered Miss Lizzie. "That's why I didn't marry Harvey - long ago when he asked me. I was afraid of 'that'. So afraid." "I don't know," Miss Lizzie said. "Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and to scream out, and even to suffer that terrible pain, than just to be safe." She waited until the next scream died away. "At least she knows she's living.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, 1943
A character reflects on choosing painful authenticity over safe complacency, valuing living fully despite fear.
In simple terms: Choosing pain over safety can mean truly living.
Key Takeaway
Embrace discomfort to feel alive.
Themes
courage
authenticity
existence
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- mental health
- creative expression
- relationship dynamics
Key Concepts
Existentialism
psychology
risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears keep you from fully living?
- How can discomfort foster growth?
A Different Perspective
Safety can lead to stagnation and missed experiences.
![“Stupid. Stupid. Foaly, we are both imbeciles. I don't expect lateral thinking from the LEP, but from you..." ... "What is it?" [Holly] asked, afraid of the answer, which must surely be terrible. "Yeah," agreed Foaly, who always had time to feel insulted. "Why am I an imbecile?” quote by Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8bb/eoin-colfer-736_answers_stupid-stupid-foaly-we-are-both-imbecile_956653.jpg)
