--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can only be brave by being afraid…" description: "\"You can only be brave by being afraid. Embrace what you are scared of and shift its energy to destroy your fears.\" — Joel Brown" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/joel-brown-17079_be-brave_you-can-only-be-brave-by-being-afraid-em_1460289.jpg" --- # You can only be brave by being afraid. Embrace what you… ![“You can only be brave by being afraid. Embrace what you are scared of and shift its energy to destroy your fears.” quote by Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/joel-brown-17079_be-brave_you-can-only-be-brave-by-being-afraid-em_1460289.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/joel-brown-17079_be-brave_you-can-only-be-brave-by-being-afraid-em_1460289.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/joel-brown-17079_be-brave_you-can-only-be-brave-by-being-afraid-em_1460289.jpg) > “You can only be brave by being afraid. Embrace what you are scared of and shift its energy to destroy your fears.” [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Courage arises when you acknowledge fear and redirect its energy to overcome obstacles. **In simple terms:** Be brave by using fear as fuel. Key Takeaway Turn fear into action. Themes courage fear mindset growth resilience Mood inspirational empowering Type personal motivational When to use this quote - public speaking - career challenges - personal goals - athletic training - creative projects Key Concepts psychology self‑help neuroscience Questions to Reflect On - What fears can you transform into strength? - How can you sustain motivation after initial success? A Different Perspective Fear can also paralyze if not managed properly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-afraid/) [Brave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ## Related quotes > [Before I knew you, I thought brave was not being afraid. You've taught me that bravery is being terrified and doing it anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/before-i-knew-you-i-thought-brave-was-not-being-afraid-you-ve-taught/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I said to myself, Malala, you must be brave. You must not be afraid of anyone. You are only trying to get an education.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malala-yousafzai/i-said-to-myself-malala-you-must-be-brave-you-must-not-be-afraid-of/) [Malala Yousafzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malala-yousafzai/) > [Do not be afriad! I can see that Americans are not afraid. They are not afraid of the sun, they are not afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/do-not-be-afriad-i-can-see-that-americans-are-not-afraid-they-are-not/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [You look at a guy who's being brave. He's afraid, or he wouldn't be brave. If he isn't afraid, he's stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/you-look-at-a-guy-who-s-being-brave-he-s-afraid-or-he-wouldn-t-be/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [Be brave when others are afraid, and afraid when others are brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/be-brave-when-others-are-afraid-and-afraid-when-others-are-brave/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [Bran thought about it. 'Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?' 'That is the only time a man can be brave,' his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bran-thought-about-it-can-a-man-still-be-brave-if-he-s-afraid-that-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only time a man can be brave is when he is afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-time-a-man-can-be-brave-is-when-he-is-afraid/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've always been able to fake my way into confidence. Sometimes I put my own fears aside to make sure I'm being of service…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-brooks/i-ve-always-been-able-to-fake-my-way-into-confidence-sometimes-i-put/) [Danielle Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-brooks/) > [Let us be brave in the face of adversity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/let-us-be-brave-in-the-face-of-adversity/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [Sometimes I think I'm a nihilist because it doesn't matter, none of this matters. We're all following the will of some unknowable higher power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ottessa-moshfegh/sometimes-i-think-i-m-a-nihilist-because-it-doesn-t-matter-none-of/) [Ottessa Moshfegh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ottessa-moshfegh/) > [Be brave! Be strong! Be fearless! Once you have taken up the spiritual life, fight as long as there is any life in you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/be-brave-be-strong-be-fearless-once-you-have-taken-up-the-spiritual/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [To be able to live and train in Iraq under these circumstances you need to be brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-able-to-live-and-train-in-iraq-under-these-circumstances-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/be-convinced-that-to-be-happy-means-to-be-free-and-that-to-be-free/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [If You Love Someone, Be Brave Enough To Tell Them., Otherwise Be Brave Enough To Watch Them To Be Loved By Someone Else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-zahoor/if-you-love-someone-be-brave-enough-to-tell-them-otherwise-be-brave/) [Bilal Zahoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bilal-zahoor/) ## More by Joel Brown > [The 'Amazing' can only be created by facing fear, risk and failure during the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/the-amazing-can-only-be-created-by-facing-fear-risk-and-failure/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [You are either moving towards or away from success at any given time. What direction are you headed in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/you-are-either-moving-towards-or-away-from-success-at-any-given-time/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possiable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/the-only-thing-that-stands-between-you-and-your-dream-is-the-will-to/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [Life isn’t about waiting for the time to come. It’s all about making the most of things in the time that is given to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/life-isn-t-about-waiting-for-the-time-to-come-it-s-all-about-making/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [See the Invisible, Believe the Incredible, Achieve the Impossible. -](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/see-the-invisible-believe-the-incredible-achieve-the-impossible/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [Too many people, right now are playing it small. If you want to be SUCCESSFUL, Live BIG, Think BIG, & make every day of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/too-many-people-right-now-are-playing-it-small-if-you-want-to-be/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [Often, our most rewarding dreams are staring us right in the face, but for some reason we focus on how hard things are, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/often-our-most-rewarding-dreams-are-staring-us-right-in-the-face-but/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [Don't look back! For a bright future is ahead of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/don-t-look-back-for-a-bright-future-is-ahead-of-you/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [Conquer all your fears and you'll be amazed at how awesome your life can become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/conquer-all-your-fears-and-you-ll-be-amazed-at-how-awesome-your-life/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [Whatever you do, just don't stand still. Make the changes you need today, so you can live the life you want, tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/whatever-you-do-just-don-t-stand-still-make-the-changes-you-need/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [The awesome thing about failure is that it is only temporary. Embrace it, learn the lesson and come back blazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/the-awesome-thing-about-failure-is-that-it-is-only-temporary-embrace/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [We only get what we believe that we deserve. Raise the bar, raise your standards and you will receive a better outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/we-only-get-what-we-believe-that-we-deserve-raise-the-bar-raise-your/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [Whatever it takes, prove to yourself right now, that you deserve the wildest of dreams that you could ever imagine. BUT…... Only if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/whatever-it-takes-prove-to-yourself-right-now-that-you-deserve-the/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [You decide every day who you will and will not be. Be bold in your decision but remember, choose wisely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/you-decide-every-day-who-you-will-and-will-not-be-be-bold-in-your/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [Challenges are really just a test to see how much you deserve success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/challenges-are-really-just-a-test-to-see-how-much-you-deserve-success/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) [Explore all 38 Joel Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) ## 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 > [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 ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can only be brave by being afraid. 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