Arms Quote by Katherine Paterson
“It wasn't so much that he minded telling Leslie that he was afraid to go; it was that he minded being afraid. It was as though he had been made with a great piece missing - one of May Belle's puzzles with this huge gap where somebody's eye should have been. Lord, it would be better to be born without an arm than to go through life with no guts.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, 1977
Fear of being fearful feels like a missing piece, making life feel incomplete and hollow.
In simple terms: Being afraid of fear leaves a gap inside.
Key Takeaway
Accept fear, act despite it.
Themes
courage
identity
incompletion
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- overcoming fear
- mental health
- relationships
Key Concepts
existential anxiety
self‑acceptance
Questions to Reflect On
- What part of yourself feels missing?
- How can you fill that gap with purpose?
A Different Perspective
Fear can paralyze and prevent meaningful action.
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