Fear Quote by David Foster Wallace
““It’s all over everywhere. I don’t know what I could call it. It’s like I can’t get enough outside it to call it anything. It’s like horror more than sadness. It’s more like horror. It’s like something horrible is about to happen, the most horrible thing you can imagine — no, worse than you can imagine because there’s the feeling that there’s something you have to do right away to stop it but you don’t know what it is you have to do, and then it’s happening, too, the whole horrible time, it’s about to happen and also it’s happening, all at the same time.’ I fear this feeling more than I fear anything, man. More than pain, or my mom dying, or environmental toxicity. Anything.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The David Foster Wallace Archive, 2005
A vivid description of overwhelming anxiety that feels like impending horror, surpassing ordinary fears.
In simple terms: Intense anxiety that feels like an imminent disaster.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address anxiety before it escalates.
Themes
anxiety
existential dread
psychology
Mood
tense
reflective
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal reflection
- creative writing
Key Concepts
panic
hypervigilance
mental overload
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers this type of anxiety for you?
- How can you ground yourself during overwhelming moments?
A Different Perspective
Anxiety can be paralyzing and may distort perception of reality.
