--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not true as is romantically…" description: "\"“It is not true as is romantically presumed that people frightened or injured or persecuted are wakeful. More often than not they retire into sleep to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcc/john-steinbeck-71_frightened_it-is-not-true-as-is-romantically-presum_2531171.jpg" --- # It is not true as is romantically presumed that people… ![“It is not true as is romantically presumed that people frightened or injured or persecuted are wakeful. More often than not they retire into sleep to be free of trouble for a time.” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcc/john-steinbeck-71_frightened_it-is-not-true-as-is-romantically-presum_2531171.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcc/john-steinbeck-71_frightened_it-is-not-true-as-is-romantically-presum_2531171.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcc/john-steinbeck-71_frightened_it-is-not-true-as-is-romantically-presum_2531171.jpg) > ““It is not true as is romantically presumed that people frightened or injured or persecuted are wakeful. More often than not they retire into sleep to be free of trouble for a time.”” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often escape pain by sleeping, seeking temporary relief from distress. **In simple terms:** Sleep offers brief escape from trouble. Key Takeaway Recognize when avoidance becomes harmful. Themes coping stress avoidance Mood thoughtful empathetic Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - nighttime insomnia - work burnout - personal trauma - grief processing Key Concepts psychology literature human behavior Questions to Reflect On - Why might someone choose sleep over confronting issues? - What healthier coping mechanisms exist? A Different Perspective Sleep does not solve underlying problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Frightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frightened/) [Frightened Injured](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frightened-injured-1344144/) [Injured Persecuted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injured-persecuted-1344145/) [People Frightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-frightened-413924/) [Persecuted Wakeful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persecuted-wakeful-1344143/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) ## Related quotes > [I can't help it when people are frightened," says Merricat. "I always want to frighten them more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/i-can-t-help-it-when-people-are-frightened-says-merricat-i-always/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [When people are frightened about going hungry and paying their mortgages, a scarcity model begins to prevail; they fear someone else will get their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/when-people-are-frightened-about-going-hungry-and-paying-their/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [I think people are frightened of women making big decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-taylor-wood/i-think-people-are-frightened-of-women-making-big-decisions/) [Sam Taylor-Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-taylor-wood/) > [“There are many people who are frightened of something or other, Mma," she said. "Even here in Botswana there are people who are frightened."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/there-are-many-people-who-are-frightened-of-something-or-other-mma/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [I think people are frightened by different things, so I don't see myself as particularly courageous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robyn-davidson/i-think-people-are-frightened-by-different-things-so-i-don-t-see/) [Robyn Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robyn-davidson/) > [A lot of people can't be on their own. They get frightened. Isolation doesn't bother me at all. It gives me a sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-page/a-lot-of-people-can-t-be-on-their-own-they-get-frightened-isolation/) [Jimmy Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-page/) > [“As long as enough people can be frightened, then all people can be ruled. I am afraid that's how it works in a democracy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/as-long-as-enough-people-can-be-frightened-then-all-people-can-be/) [Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/) > [I think that sometimes people are frightened to take the risk of entrepreneurship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-tzemach-lemmon/i-think-that-sometimes-people-are-frightened-to-take-the-risk-of/) [Gayle Tzemach Lemmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-tzemach-lemmon/) > [People are frightened of the unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-harriott/people-are-frightened-of-the-unknown/) [Ainsley Harriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-harriott/) > [When people become frightened, they look for things of real value. They will go to monetary metals, gold and silver, and they will buy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/when-people-become-frightened-they-look-for-things-of-real-value-they/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [Those not favorable to the money trust could be squeezed out of business and the people frightened into demanding changes in the banking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-august-lindbergh/those-not-favorable-to-the-money-trust-could-be-squeezed-out-of/) [Charles August Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-august-lindbergh/) > [I think people are frightened of saying what they think, and I think that's a bad thing for society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/i-think-people-are-frightened-of-saying-what-they-think-and-i-think/) [Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/) > [All primitive people are frightened of owls,' said Harley. 'The villagers here are scared to death of the gufo. Birds of ill omen. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-brett-young/all-primitive-people-are-frightened-of-owls-said-harley-the-villagers/) [Francis Brett Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-brett-young/) > [Unlike accredited zoos like the Bronx Zoo, San Diego Zoo, the Los Angeles Zoo, these are private menageries, and these people are frightened and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-goode/unlike-accredited-zoos-like-the-bronx-zoo-san-diego-zoo-the-los/) [Eric Goode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-goode/) > [As long as enough people can be frightened, then all people can be ruled. That is how it works in a democratic system and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bovard/as-long-as-enough-people-can-be-frightened-then-all-people-can-be-2/) [James Bovard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bovard/) ## More by John Steinbeck > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Prayer never brought in no side-meat. Takes a shoat to bring in pork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/prayer-never-brought-in-no-side-meat-takes-a-shoat-to-bring-in-pork/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“And now submarines are armed with mass murder, our silly, only way of deterring mass murder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/and-now-submarines-are-armed-with-mass-murder-our-silly-only-way-of/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“I’d think there are degrees of greatness,” Adam said. “I don’t think so,” said Samuel. “That would be like saying there is a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-d-think-there-are-degrees-of-greatness-adam-said-i-don-t-think-so/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“He was forever inventing a new way of doing an old thing and doing it better and quicker, but he never in his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/he-was-forever-inventing-a-new-way-of-doing-an-old-thing-and-doing-it/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“You come back a changed man. Samuel, you don’t change him. He changes you. I can see the look of him in your face.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/you-come-back-a-changed-man-samuel-you-don-t-change-him-he-changes/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I find out of long experience that I admire all nations and hate all governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-find-out-of-long-experience-that-i-admire-all-nations-and-hate-all/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/at-about-10-o-clock-in-the-morning-the-sun-threw-a-bright-dust-laden/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-noticed-that-there-is-no-dissatisfaction-like-that-of-the-rich/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Who in his mind has not probe the dark water?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/who-in-his-mind-has-not-probe-the-dark-water/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/sometimes-a-lie-is-told-in-kindness-i-don-t-believe-it-ever-works/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [People like you to be something, preferably what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/people-like-you-to-be-something-preferably-what-they-are/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Suddenly he knew joy and sorrow felted into one fabric. Courage and fear were one thing too. He found that he had started to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/suddenly-he-knew-joy-and-sorrow-felted-into-one-fabric-courage-and/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I am writing this from what we Americans call Yurrp. In Yurrp writers are taken as seriously as Lana Turner's legs are in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-am-writing-this-from-what-we-americans-call-yurrp-in-yurrp-writers/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I write because I like to write. I find joy in the texture and tone and rhythm of words. It is a satisfaction like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-write-because-i-like-to-write-i-find-joy-in-the-texture-and-tone/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) [Explore all 1,589 John Steinbeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## More Frightened quotes > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [“and I actually talked about God, the one who had abandoned me when I was very little, very frightened, and very hurt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/and-i-actually-talked-about-god-the-one-who-had-abandoned-me-when-i/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [I don't think kids have a problem with death. It's us older ones who are nearer to it, that start being frightened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helena-bonham-carter/i-don-t-think-kids-have-a-problem-with-death-it-s-us-older-ones-who/) [Helena Bonham Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helena-bonham-carter/) > [American imperialism has always been the imperialism that has been frightened of speaking its name. Now it's beginning to do so. In a way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ali/american-imperialism-has-always-been-the-imperialism-that-has-been/) [Tariq Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ali/) > [We all have prejudices to dispel: the need to get away from thinking that 'I' am important and special and 'you' are not, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingrid-newkirk/we-all-have-prejudices-to-dispel-the-need-to-get-away-from-thinking/) [Ingrid Newkirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingrid-newkirk/) > [“She had just started living like a grown-up and she'd never felt more vulnerable, frightened or confused in her life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-eugenides/she-had-just-started-living-like-a-grown-up-and-she-d-never-felt-more/) [Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-eugenides/) > [Megachurches. I can't be the only one frightened when our houses of worship sound like they could take on Godzilla.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/megachurches-i-can-t-be-the-only-one-frightened-when-our-houses-of/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [No one seems to have learned, or can remember, the magic words that calm people when they are frightened or threatened: "I'm sorry; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-tavris/no-one-seems-to-have-learned-or-can-remember-the-magic-words-that/) [Carol Tavris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-tavris/) > [Or why it is acceptable to train fast runners and high jumpers but not to breed them. I can think of some answers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/or-why-it-is-acceptable-to-train-fast-runners-and-high-jumpers-but/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [I can't help it when people are frightened," says Merricat. "I always want to frighten them more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/i-can-t-help-it-when-people-are-frightened-says-merricat-i-always/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [Soothing touch, whether it be applied to a ruffled cat, a crying infant, or a frightened child, has a universally recognized power to ameliorate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deane-juhan/soothing-touch-whether-it-be-applied-to-a-ruffled-cat-a-crying-infant/) [Deane Juhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deane-juhan/) > [Sometimes I've been to a party where no one spoke to me for a whole evening. The men, frightened by their wives or sweeites...the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/sometimes-i-ve-been-to-a-party-where-no-one-spoke-to-me-for-a-whole/) [Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/) > [All your names I and my friend approve of or nearly all as to sense & expression, but I am frightened by their length…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-faraday/all-your-names-i-and-my-friend-approve-of-or-nearly-all-as-to-sense/) [Michael Faraday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-faraday/) > [I was hit by a car. I almost died. My show was taken away from me. I was frightened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-brennan/i-was-hit-by-a-car-i-almost-died-my-show-was-taken-away-from-me-i-was/) [Eileen Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-brennan/) > [“She was using the water as she had used the fruit earlier—to calm herself, to assure herself of the possibility of normality. Yet all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/she-was-using-the-water-as-she-had-used-the-fruit-earlier-to-calm/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) [Browse all 1,303 Frightened quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frightened/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is not true as is romantically presumed that people frightened or injured or persecuted are wakeful. 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