Absence Quote by Hilary Mantel
“It is the absence of facts that frightens people: the gap you open, into which they pour their fears, fantasies, desires.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 2018 Oxford Union address by Hilary Mantel
People fear the unknown; lacking facts creates space for imagination to fill with anxieties.
In simple terms: Missing facts breed fear and fantasy.
Key Takeaway
Seek reliable information.
Themes
fear
information
psychology
uncertainty
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media consumption
- personal decision making
- public policy
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
media literacy
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What facts would reduce your fear?
- How do you recognize when imagination fills gaps?
A Different Perspective
Facts alone may not calm emotions; underlying biases persist.
![“[...] I stated to them among other things that no country inflicts death so readily upon the inhabitants of other countries, frightens so many people so far away, as America.” quote by Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f83/mohsin-hamid-798_america_i-stated-to-them-among-other-things-that_1373969.jpg)
