--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is better to be feared than laughed at." description: "\"“It is better to be feared than laughed at.”\" — George R.R. Martin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/george-r-r-martin-48_better_it-is-better-to-be-feared-than-laughed-a_3116357.png" --- # It is better to be feared than laughed at. ![“It is better to be feared than laughed at.” quote by George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/george-r-r-martin-48_better_it-is-better-to-be-feared-than-laughed-a_3116357.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/george-r-r-martin-48_better_it-is-better-to-be-feared-than-laughed-a_3116357.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/george-r-r-martin-48_better_it-is-better-to-be-feared-than-laughed-a_3116357.png) > ““It is better to be feared than laughed at.”” [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power is more secure when others fear you than when they mock you, because fear deters challenges. **In simple terms:** Fear protects more than humor. Key Takeaway Consider the cost of being feared versus liked. Themes power fear leadership Mood cautious strategic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - political negotiations - corporate leadership - personal boundaries Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - Is fear a sustainable strategy? - When does fear become counterproductive? A Different Perspective Fear can breed resentment and isolation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Better Feared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-feared-1801603/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Feared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feared/) [Feared Laughed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feared-laughed-5456127/) [Laughed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughed/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [“It is better to be feared than loved. —MACHIAVELLI”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-quinn/it-is-better-to-be-feared-than-loved-machiavelli/) [Kate Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-quinn/) > [“It is better to be feared than to be loved, if you can not be both”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-is-better-to-be-feared-than-to-be-loved-if-you-can-not-be-both/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-is-better-to-be-feared-than-loved-if-you-cannot-be-both/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It is better to be feared than loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/it-is-better-to-be-feared-than-loved/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [ \[Niccolò\] Machiavelli said it's better to be feared than to be loved. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-shilling/niccol-machiavelli-said-it-s-better-to-be-feared-than-to-be-loved/) [Gary Shilling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-shilling/) > [“It was not just for herself that she feared now, but for her baby. 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