Conquer Quote by Donald Barthelme
“How does one conquer fear, Don B.?" "One takes a frog and sews it to one's shoe," he said. "The left or the right?" Don B. gave me a pitying look. "Well, you'd look mighty funny going down the street with only one frog sewed to your shoes, wouldn't you?" he said. "One frog on each shoe.”
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Balloon” by Donald Barthelme, 1975
Fear can be faced by confronting the absurd and turning it into a source of humor and perspective.
In simple terms: Facing fear with absurd humor.
Key Takeaway
Use humor to diminish fear.
Themes
courage
absurdity
humor
Mood
playful
lighthearted
Type
anecdotal
humorous
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- personal anxiety
- creative writing
Key Concepts
Existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can absurdity change your reaction to fear?
- What risks are you avoiding?
A Different Perspective
Humor may not resolve deep trauma.
