---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Making people fear the expression of…"
description: "\"Making people fear the expression of their own power is a very effective way of disempowering them. It is not just those who feel the frustration of be..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/deeyah-khan-10838_action_making-people-fear-the-expression-of-the_1164396.jpg"
---

#  Making people fear the expression of their own power is a…

![“Making people fear the expression of their own power is a very effective way of disempowering them. It is not just those who feel the frustration of being silenced: it also encompasses every person who has no idea of their own power to realise their visions because they have not seen this in…” quote by Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/deeyah-khan-10838_action_making-people-fear-the-expression-of-the_1164396.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/deeyah-khan-10838_action_making-people-fear-the-expression-of-the_1164396.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/deeyah-khan-10838_action_making-people-fear-the-expression-of-the_1164396.jpg)

> “Making people fear the expression of their own power is a very effective way of disempowering them. It is not just those who feel the frustration of being silenced: it also encompasses every person who has no idea of their own power to realise their visions because they have not seen this in action in their communities.”

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Suppressing awareness of personal power disempowers individuals and communities.

**In simple terms:** Fear of power limits people.

Key Takeaway

Empower yourself and others.

Themes

empowerment psychology social dynamics freedom silence

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- Workshops
- community organizing
- education programs

Key Concepts

self-efficacy social control collective action

Questions to Reflect On

- What steps can you take to recognize your own power?
- How can communities foster visible role models?

A Different Perspective

People may resist empowerment due to fear.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Disempowering Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disempowering-just-3347747/) [Expression Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression-power-3347748/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-expression-3347745/) [Frustration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frustration/) [People Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-fear-415139/) [Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Power Realise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-realise-3347746/)

## Related quotes

> [Between beauty of expression and power of expression there is a difference of function. The first aims at pleasing the senses, the second has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-moore/between-beauty-of-expression-and-power-of-expression-there-is-a/)

[Henry Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-moore/)

> [Love is an expression of power. We can use it to transform our world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ericka-huggins/love-is-an-expression-of-power-we-can-use-it-to-transform-our-world/)

[Ericka Huggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ericka-huggins/)

> [I think that the problem is that people fear so many things and they don't live life to its fullest. And for me as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-angel/i-think-that-the-problem-is-that-people-fear-so-many-things-and-they/)

[Criss Angel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-angel/)

> [Sometimes people fear the truth. They'd rather not speak to you than know what you really think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-faith/sometimes-people-fear-the-truth-they-d-rather-not-speak-to-you-than/)

[Paloma Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-faith/)

> [People fear death even more than pain. It's strange that they fear death. Life hurts a lot more than death. At the point of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/people-fear-death-even-more-than-pain-it-s-strange-that-they-fear/)

[Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/)

> [60% of people fear that they care about a person way more than that person cares about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thewomenizer/60-of-people-fear-that-they-care-about-a-person-way-more-than-that/)

[Thewomenizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thewomenizer/)

> [How are fears born? They are born because of differences in tradition and history; they are born because of differences in emotional, political and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-olmert/how-are-fears-born-they-are-born-because-of-differences-in-tradition/)

[Ehud Olmert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-olmert/)

> [“This is one of the reasons for bigotry and censorship of all kinds over personal morality: people fear that the standard morality will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/this-is-one-of-the-reasons-for-bigotry-and-censorship-of-all-kinds/)

[Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/)

> [“In this world, the thing people fear the most, and what pains people the most— is giving more than they receive. God forbid I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/in-this-world-the-thing-people-fear-the-most-and-what-pains-people/)

[C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/)

> [If swag was a virus, most people would fear becoming a celebrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-quperlier/if-swag-was-a-virus-most-people-would-fear-becoming-a-celebrity/)

[Simon Quperlier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-quperlier/)

> [Taking a new step. . .is what people fear most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/taking-a-new-step-is-what-people-fear-most/)

[Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/)

> [What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/what-would-life-be-if-we-had-no-courage-to-attempt-anything-taking-a/)

[Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/)

> [Violence against the other, and the way we otherize people out of fear, has to be examined across the board.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yance-ford/violence-against-the-other-and-the-way-we-otherize-people-out-of-fear/)

[Yance Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yance-ford/)

> [I think people that have fear that, 'Oh if I have a kid I won't be able to do this and I won't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-kiedis/i-think-people-that-have-fear-that-oh-if-i-have-a-kid-i-won-t-be-able/)

[Anthony Kiedis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-kiedis/)

> [In a competitive society, the thing people fear the most is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-purdy/in-a-competitive-society-the-thing-people-fear-the-most-is-love/)

[James Purdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-purdy/)

## More by Deeyah Khan

> [There is no psychiatric pattern which can predict who becomes an extremist - but they are all frustrated with their reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/there-is-no-psychiatric-pattern-which-can-predict-who-becomes-an/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [The state has a duty to protect all its citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/the-state-has-a-duty-to-protect-all-its-citizens/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [We need to be able to guarantee the safety of all artists and activists for human rights so that it no longer takes extraordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/we-need-to-be-able-to-guarantee-the-safety-of-all-artists-and/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> ['Honour'-based violence is a form of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a broad category.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/honour-based-violence-is-a-form-of-domestic-violence-domestic/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [Self-expression should not be a challenge that demands extraordinary talent but should be a right accessible to all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/self-expression-should-not-be-a-challenge-that-demands-extraordinary/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [The problem with Muslim women is less that we cannot speak the language, but that no one listens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/the-problem-with-muslim-women-is-less-that-we-cannot-speak-the/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [Freedom of expression is essential for feminists and dissidents in the Muslim world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/freedom-of-expression-is-essential-for-feminists-and-dissidents-in/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [We need more courageous individuals who will defy the structures of power, whether political, economic, or intimate, but we also need it to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/we-need-more-courageous-individuals-who-will-defy-the-structures-of/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [Our media provides a continuing message that for men, heroism is defined through association with control, independence, and the ability to commit violence, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/our-media-provides-a-continuing-message-that-for-men-heroism-is/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [Muslim women can save the world from ISIS.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/muslim-women-can-save-the-world-from-isis/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [Like Theresa May, I regularly find myself infuriated by the rantings of Anjem Choudary and other hate preachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/like-theresa-may-i-regularly-find-myself-infuriated-by-the-rantings/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [Women's empowerment, whether through legal, financial, or cultural routes, will tend to increase their agency and their ability to take part in activism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/women-s-empowerment-whether-through-legal-financial-or-cultural/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [Left to the mercies of their communities, Muslim women and children remain in abusive households and face losing their financial security over issues like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/left-to-the-mercies-of-their-communities-muslim-women-and-children/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [Women with education, skills, and independent sources of income are more able to withstand the pressures of the patriarchal family and more able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/women-with-education-skills-and-independent-sources-of-income-are/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

> [We cannot leave vulnerable young men open to the exploitation of extremists, both for our own security and their own wellbeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/we-cannot-leave-vulnerable-young-men-open-to-the-exploitation-of/)

[Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

[Explore all 63 Deeyah Khan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/)

## 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. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Making people fear the expression of their own power is a very effective way of disempowering them. It is not just those who feel the frustration of being silenced: it also encompasses every person who has no idea of their own power to realise their visions because they have not seen this in action in their communities.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Deeyah Khan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/making-people-fear-the-expression-of-their-own-power-is-a-very/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/making-people-fear-the-expression-of-their-own-power-is-a-very/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/deeyah-khan-10838_action_making-people-fear-the-expression-of-the_1164396.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/deeyah-khan-10838_action_making-people-fear-the-expression-of-the_1164396.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/deeyah-khan-10838_action_making-people-fear-the-expression-of-the_1164396.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Making people fear the expression of their own power is a very effective way of disempowering them. It is…” — Deeyah Khan",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Deeyah Khan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Making people fear the expression of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/making-people-fear-the-expression-of-their-own-power-is-a-very/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/making-people-fear-the-expression-of-their-own-power-is-a-very/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
