--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Subjection to fear is weakness, bondage…" description: "\"Subjection to fear is weakness, bondage, feverish unrest. To be afraid is to have no soul that we can call our own; it is to be at the beck and call of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ac/henry-van-dyke-2453_afraid_subjection-to-fear-is-weakness-bondage-f_2803467.png" --- # Subjection to fear is weakness, bondage, feverish unrest… ![“Subjection to fear is weakness, bondage, feverish unrest. To be afraid is to have no soul that we can call our own; it is to be at the beck and call of alien powers, to be chained and driven and tormented; it is to lose the life itself in the anxious care to keep it.” quote by Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ac/henry-van-dyke-2453_afraid_subjection-to-fear-is-weakness-bondage-f_2803467.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ac/henry-van-dyke-2453_afraid_subjection-to-fear-is-weakness-bondage-f_2803467.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ac/henry-van-dyke-2453_afraid_subjection-to-fear-is-weakness-bondage-f_2803467.png) > “Subjection to fear is weakness, bondage, feverish unrest. To be afraid is to have no soul that we can call our own; it is to be at the beck and call of alien powers, to be chained and driven and tormented; it is to lose the life itself in the anxious care to keep it.” [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear enslaves the mind, stripping autonomy and causing inner turmoil. **In simple terms:** Fear robs freedom and peace. Key Takeaway Cultivate courage to reclaim self‑ownership. Themes freedom autonomy inner peace Mood anxious determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - public speaking - personal decision - conflict resolution - stress management Key Concepts psychology existentialism self‑control Questions to Reflect On - How does fear limit your choices? - What steps can you take to face fear directly? A Different Perspective Fear can be a useful warning signal, not just a prison. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aliens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aliens/) [Anxious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious/) [Bondage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bondage/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-itself/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Subjection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subjection/) [Unrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unrest/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) ## Related quotes > [“I love you so, you are so much yourself! He is so afraid of his soul: no "I" now but she. 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Lean on God who will be your strength through every dark storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-arcuri/do-not-fear-weakness-lean-on-god-who-will-be-your-strength-through/) [Dana Arcuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-arcuri/) > [Some simply can't see the Miracles all around them, or right in front of them. Other times, those Miracles get worn down, feeling like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladislas-nikilovic/some-simply-can-t-see-the-miracles-all-around-them-or-right-in-front/) [Vladislas Nikilovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladislas-nikilovic/) > [“Fear is weakness. To show it is advantageous to the accuser.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-elliot/fear-is-weakness-to-show-it-is-advantageous-to-the-accuser/) [Laura Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-elliot/) > [Most people see fear as a weakness but if I'm honest and ruthless I know I will succeed. Failure is not an option.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-people-see-fear-as-a-weakness-but-if-i-m-honest-and-ruthless-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Henry Van Dyke > [I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack;The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/i-know-that-europe-s-wonderful-yet-something-seems-to-lack-the-past/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [The Bible does not profess to make men omniscient, but simply to tell them enough to make them happy and good, if they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/the-bible-does-not-profess-to-make-men-omniscient-but-simply-to-tell/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [So in the heart, When, fading slowly down the past, Fond memories depart, And each that leaves it seems the last; Long after all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/so-in-the-heart-when-fading-slowly-down-the-past-fond-memories-depart/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-the-greatest-are-not-always/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [A little while the rose, And after that the thorn; An hour of dewy morn, And then the glamour goes. 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Yes, I know it well; I've heard its prayers and creeds, And seen men put them all to shame with poor, half-hearted deeds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/religion-yes-i-know-it-well-i-ve-heard-its-prayers-and-creeds-and/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [It is better to desire the things we have than to have the things we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-better-to-desire-the-things-we-have-than-to-have-the-things-we/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Jazz: Music invented for the torture of imbeciles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/jazz-music-invented-for-the-torture-of-imbeciles/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Lord, when my spirit shall return to thee, At the foot of a friendly tree let my body be buried, That this dust may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/lord-when-my-spirit-shall-return-to-thee-at-the-foot-of-a-friendly/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/gratitude-is-the-inward-feeling-of-kindness-received-thankfulness-is/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [In warlike pomp, with banners flowing, The regiments of autumn stood: I saw their gold and scarlet glowing From every hillside, every wood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/in-warlike-pomp-with-banners-flowing-the-regiments-of-autumn-stood-i/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/there-is-a-better-thing-than-the-observance-of-christmas-day-and-that/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) [Explore all 165 Henry Van Dyke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. 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