Children Quote by Lionel Shriver
““Franklin, I was absolutely terrified of having a child. Before I got pregnant, my visions of child rearing- reading stories about cabooses with smiley faces at bedtime, feeding glop into slack mouths- all seemed like pictures of someone else. I dreaded confrontation with what could prove a closed, stony nature, my own selfishness and lack of generosity, the thick tarry powers of my own resentment. However intrigued by a “turn of the page,” I was mortified by the prospect of becoming hopelessly trapped in someone else’s story. And I believe that this terror is precisely what must have snagged me, the way a ledge will tempt one to jump off. The very surmountability of the task, its very unattractiveness , was in the end what attracted me to it. (32)””
About This Quote
Source Book: Anonymous, 2023
The quote expresses how fear of responsibility and personal flaws can paradoxically draw someone toward a daunting task, making it compelling.
In simple terms: Fear can make a daunting task oddly attractive.
Key Takeaway
Embrace fear as a sign of growth.
Themes
fear
self‑reflection
growth
parenthood
motivation
Mood
anxious
reflective
determined
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career change
- parenting
- personal development
- overcoming anxiety
Key Concepts
psychology
existentialism
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears are masking your true desires?
- How can you turn dread into motivation?
A Different Perspective
Fear may blind judgment and cause avoidance of necessary preparation.
