--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What's scary is the unknown, the stuff…" description: "\"What's scary is the unknown, the stuff you can't put your finger on.\" — John Darnielle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/043/john-darnielle-2176_fingers_what-s-scary-is-the-unknown-the-stuff-yo_393664.png" --- # What's scary is the unknown, the stuff you can't put your… ![“What's scary is the unknown, the stuff you can't put your finger on.” quote by John Darnielle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/043/john-darnielle-2176_fingers_what-s-scary-is-the-unknown-the-stuff-yo_393664.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/043/john-darnielle-2176_fingers_what-s-scary-is-the-unknown-the-stuff-yo_393664.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/043/john-darnielle-2176_fingers_what-s-scary-is-the-unknown-the-stuff-yo_393664.png) > “What's scary is the unknown, the stuff you can't put your finger on.” [John Darnielle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-darnielle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights fear of intangible, hard‑to‑define threats as the most unsettling **In simple terms:** The unknown is frightening Key Takeaway Acknowledge and explore unknown fears Themes fear uncertainty psychology Mood introspective melancholic Type philosophical emotional When to use this quote - decision making - creative projects - health diagnoses - relationship issues Key Concepts existential dread anxiety triggers Questions to Reflect On - What unknowns are you avoiding? - How can you make the unknown more concrete? A Different Perspective Focusing on unknown can paralyze action ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fingers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fingers/) [Scary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scary/) [Scary Unknown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scary-unknown-784252/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Unknown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unknown/) [Unknown Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unknown-stuff-3545570/) ## Related quotes > ['Sharp Objects' was scary, unknown territory for me. I wouldn't pick this kind of material to direct if you just gave me the book.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marc-vallee/sharp-objects-was-scary-unknown-territory-for-me-i-wouldn-t-pick-this/) [Jean-Marc Vallee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marc-vallee/) > [The unknown is scary the Unknown can also be exciting. Your life could change in an instant anytime. 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The prince flinched and cast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/steadying-herself-with-both-hands-on-the-table-she-managed-an-awkward/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [What I have found is, so much of that is like a Chinese finger trap: the more you play to the dark, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/what-i-have-found-is-so-much-of-that-is-like-a-chinese-finger-trap/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) ## More by John Darnielle > [I don't write my own publicity materials, I just read 'em and give 'em the OK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-darnielle/i-don-t-write-my-own-publicity-materials-i-just-read-em-and-give-em/) [John Darnielle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-darnielle/) > [“But secret agents, like God, only give signs to their confidants. They are also very cruel and even unhappy at times. 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