--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't be afraid of fear. Because it…" description: "\"Don't be afraid of fear. Because it sharpens you, it challenges you, it makes you stronger; and when you run away from fear, you also run away from the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/094/ed-helms-4996_afraid_don-t-be-afraid-of-fear-because-it-sharp_1703676.png" --- # Don't be afraid of fear. Because it sharpens you, it… ![“Don't be afraid of fear. Because it sharpens you, it challenges you, it makes you stronger; and when you run away from fear, you also run away from the opportunity to be your best possible self.” quote by Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/094/ed-helms-4996_afraid_don-t-be-afraid-of-fear-because-it-sharp_1703676.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/094/ed-helms-4996_afraid_don-t-be-afraid-of-fear-because-it-sharp_1703676.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/094/ed-helms-4996_afraid_don-t-be-afraid-of-fear-because-it-sharp_1703676.png) > “Don't be afraid of fear. Because it sharpens you, it challenges you, it makes you stronger; and when you run away from fear, you also run away from the opportunity to be your best possible self.” [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear sharpens and challenges us; avoiding it also avoids growth opportunities. **In simple terms:** Fear can strengthen you. Key Takeaway Embrace fear to unlock personal growth. Themes fear growth strength challenge opportunity Mood encouraging determined optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - sports - career advancement - personal relationships Key Concepts psychology self‑development Questions to Reflect On - What fear could you face today? - How does confronting fear change you? A Different Perspective Fear can also paralyze; balance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) [Afraid Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-fear/) [Away Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/away-fear-244961/) [Be your best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-your-best/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Commencement speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commencement-speech/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-run-791930/) [Fear Sharpens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-sharpens-1175738/) [Graduation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graduation/) [Graduation speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graduation-speech/) [Makes you stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes-you-stronger/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Running away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-away/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stronger/) ## Related quotes > [Never follow anyone else's path, unless you're in the woods and you're lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/never-follow-anyone-else-s-path-unless-you-re-in-the-woods-and-you-re-3/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Sometimes you find out what you are supposed to be doing by doing the things you are not supposed to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/sometimes-you-find-out-what-you-are-supposed-to-be-doing-by-doing-the/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [My favorite animal is the turtle. The reason is that in order for the turtle to move, it has to stick its neck out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/my-favorite-animal-is-the-turtle-the-reason-is-that-in-order-for-the/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [Life has a very simple plot: first you're here and then you're not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-idle/life-has-a-very-simple-plot-first-you-re-here-and-then-you-re-not/) [Eric Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-idle/) > [So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/so-many-of-us-choose-our-path-out-of-fear-disguised-as-practicality-2/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which, was that you can fail at what you don't want so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/i-learned-many-great-lessons-from-my-father-not-the-least-of-which/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [You might as well take a chance on doing what you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/you-might-as-well-take-a-chance-on-doing-what-you-love/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [When we give in to fear we always run away from something we should be confronting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/when-we-give-in-to-fear-we-always-run-away-from-something-we-should/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [In 35 yrs of leading I've been afraid at every major step but I DID IT ANYWAY since I REFUSE let fear run my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/in-35-yrs-of-leading-i-ve-been-afraid-at-every-major-step-but-i-did/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [“However, I have learned if you allow fear to run your life, you will accomplish nothing worthwhile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desy-smith/however-i-have-learned-if-you-allow-fear-to-run-your-life-you-will/) [Desy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desy-smith/) > [“Allowing fear to run your life will only rob you of your future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-afshar/allowing-fear-to-run-your-life-will-only-rob-you-of-your-future/) [Tessa Afshar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-afshar/) > [A cheerful frame of mind, reinforced by relaxation... is the medicine that puts all ghosts of fear on the run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-matthew-adams/a-cheerful-frame-of-mind-reinforced-by-relaxation-is-the-medicine/) [George Matthew Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-matthew-adams/) > [I think I play with no fear: I run at players regardless of who they are and try to make a difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/i-think-i-play-with-no-fear-i-run-at-players-regardless-of-who-they/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [The beautiful thing about fear is that when you run to it, it runs away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-beautiful-thing-about-fear-is-that-when-you-run-to-it-it-runs-away/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Never let your fear run your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyssa/never-let-your-fear-run-your-life/) [ALYSSA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyssa/) ## More by Ed Helms > [First there was the New Hampshire primary, and we had nearly a year leading up to it. And now, look! Three primaries in one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/first-there-was-the-new-hampshire-primary-and-we-had-nearly-a-year/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [The biggest thing that comes out of improv that gets built on is just character traits. You know, for me the singing was born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/the-biggest-thing-that-comes-out-of-improv-that-gets-built-on-is-just/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [When you're playing a fictional character reacting to the real world, it's incredibly difficult and confusing and kind of messes with your values a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/when-you-re-playing-a-fictional-character-reacting-to-the-real-world/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [ It was never tough \[ being the new guy\]. It's just the warmest group of people \[The Office stuff\] you could ever hope to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/it-was-never-tough-being-the-new-guy-it-s-just-the-warmest-group-of/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [ What's cool is that in the story of the movie \[The Hangover\] our characters are also really kind of getting to know each other… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/what-s-cool-is-that-in-the-story-of-the-movie-the-hangover-our/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [Sometimes you just create a joke out of thin air in the editing room. I'm really glad I've had that experience. It gives me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/sometimes-you-just-create-a-joke-out-of-thin-air-in-the-editing-room/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [I love travel. I love to go spend time in new places. And even though I got horribly sick in Thailand, and it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/i-love-travel-i-love-to-go-spend-time-in-new-places-and-even-though-i/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [ One of the biggest breaks we had actually, one of the biggest, the hardest I laughed on the movie \[The Hangover\] was the baby… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/one-of-the-biggest-breaks-we-had-actually-one-of-the-biggest-the/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [ Todd \[Phillips\] doesn't care. That's part of his genius as a director, he will say anything to anybody. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/todd-phillips-doesn-t-care-that-s-part-of-his-genius-as-a-director-he/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [So long as your desire to explore is greater than your desire to not screw up, you're on the right track.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/so-long-as-your-desire-to-explore-is-greater-than-your-desire-to-not/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [People now genuinely respond to it and associate me with music. It's really fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/people-now-genuinely-respond-to-it-and-associate-me-with-music-it-s/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [I'm a very jaded and cynical person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/i-m-a-very-jaded-and-cynical-person/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [When you're in New York City or Los Angeles, even if you're not dealing with show business, there's still this sense that it's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/when-you-re-in-new-york-city-or-los-angeles-even-if-you-re-not/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [That's actually a rare thing to be on a set full of people that you admire and make you laugh all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/that-s-actually-a-rare-thing-to-be-on-a-set-full-of-people-that-you/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [People who grew up in New York City or Los Angeles tend not to even understand what goes on in the rest of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/people-who-grew-up-in-new-york-city-or-los-angeles-tend-not-to-even/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) [Explore all 104 Ed Helms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) ## More Afraid quotes > [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/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) [Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't be afraid of fear. 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