--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The task we must set for ourselves is not…" description: "\"The task we must set for ourselves is not to feel secure, but to be able to tolerate insecurity.\" — Erich Fromm" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/erich-fromm-367_able_the-task-we-must-set-for-ourselves-is-no_2784617.jpg" --- # The task we must set for ourselves is not to feel secure… ![“The task we must set for ourselves is not to feel secure, but to be able to tolerate insecurity.” quote by Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/erich-fromm-367_able_the-task-we-must-set-for-ourselves-is-no_2784617.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/erich-fromm-367_able_the-task-we-must-set-for-ourselves-is-no_2784617.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/erich-fromm-367_able_the-task-we-must-set-for-ourselves-is-no_2784617.jpg) > “The task we must set for ourselves is not to feel secure, but to be able to tolerate insecurity.” [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must learn to endure uncertainty rather than seek constant safety. **In simple terms:** Embrace uncertainty instead of chasing security. Key Takeaway Cultivate resilience to insecurity. Themes psychology existentialism growth Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - mental health - career decisions - relationships - spiritual practice Key Concepts tolerance security comfort zone Questions to Reflect On - How do you react to uncertainty? - What practices help you stay grounded? A Different Perspective Insecurity can paralyze if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Insecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insecurity/) ## Related quotes > [The psychic task which a person can and must set for himself is not to feel secure, but to be able to tolerate insecurity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-psychic-task-which-a-person-can-and-must-set-for-himself-is-not/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [The reason my films work is because every actor on set is very secure. They're able to fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leigh/the-reason-my-films-work-is-because-every-actor-on-set-is-very-secure/) [Mike Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leigh/) > [Singaporeans generally feel more secure these days. One of our tasks is to remind them that this, a result of a continuing act of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-hsien-loong/singaporeans-generally-feel-more-secure-these-days-one-of-our-tasks/) [Lee Hsien Loong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-hsien-loong/) > [In erotic love, two people who were separate become one. In motherly love, two people who were one become separate. The mother must not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/in-erotic-love-two-people-who-were-separate-become-one-in-motherly/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [INSECURE? Not my problem, but yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kitty-kath-rallos/insecure-not-my-problem-but-yours/) [Kitty Kath Rallos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kitty-kath-rallos/) > [Each one of us requires the spur of insecurity to force us to do our best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-w-dodds/each-one-of-us-requires-the-spur-of-insecurity-to-force-us-to-do-our/) Harold W. Dodds > [Like many people out there, I have my moments of severe doubt. Insecurity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valentin-chmerkovskiy/like-many-people-out-there-i-have-my-moments-of-severe-doubt/) [Valentin Chmerkovskiy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valentin-chmerkovskiy/) > [Conceit is a sure sign of insecurity; humility denotes awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sivaya-subramuniyaswami/conceit-is-a-sure-sign-of-insecurity-humility-denotes-awareness/) [Sivaya Subramuniyaswami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sivaya-subramuniyaswami/) > [At the level at which I work with people, their great talent is paired with great insecurity. 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Lusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-t-lusk/) > [All good actors are unpredictable, and a little crazy in a good way, because they feel more secure playing other people than themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/all-good-actors-are-unpredictable-and-a-little-crazy-in-a-good-way/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [It's hard for people to feel secure when there are unexplained drones flying overhead and they're not getting answers they need from the federal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-kim/it-s-hard-for-people-to-feel-secure-when-there-are-unexplained-drones/) [Andy Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-kim/) ## More by Erich Fromm > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Only when man succeeds in developing his reason and love further than he has done so far, only when he can build a world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/only-when-man-succeeds-in-developing-his-reason-and-love-further-than/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Freedom does not mean license.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/freedom-does-not-mean-license/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“It is hardly necessary to stress the fact that the ability to love as an act of giving depends on the character development of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/it-is-hardly-necessary-to-stress-the-fact-that-the-ability-to-love-as/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [The pace of science forces the pace of technique. 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