---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everyone is afraid of something. The…"
description: "\"“Everyone is afraid of something. The enemy must be, too. The more powerful they are, the more they have to lose to their fears.”\" — Liu Cixin"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65f/liu-cixin-4142_fear_everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enem_990879.jpg"
---

#  Everyone is afraid of something. The enemy must be, too…

![“Everyone is afraid of something. The enemy must be, too. The more powerful they are, the more they have to lose to their fears.” quote by Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65f/liu-cixin-4142_fear_everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enem_990879.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65f/liu-cixin-4142_fear_everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enem_990879.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65f/liu-cixin-4142_fear_everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enem_990879.jpg)

> ““Everyone is afraid of something. The enemy must be, too. The more powerful they are, the more they have to lose to their fears.””

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Fear is universal; even the powerful harbor anxieties that can undermine them.

**In simple terms:** Everyone, even the strong, has fears.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address hidden fears.

Themes

fear power vulnerability

Mood

cautious thoughtful

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- leadership
- conflict resolution
- personal development

Key Concepts

Psychology political strategy

Questions to Reflect On

- What fear drives your decisions?
- How can acknowledging fear empower you?

A Different Perspective

Powerful entities may deny their fears, limiting growth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fears/)

## Related quotes

> [The World's most powerful army is the Army of Medicine, as it is fighting against a real enemy, the most powerful one: The Death!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/the-world-s-most-powerful-army-is-the-army-of-medicine-as-it-is/)

[Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about war, it’s that fear in the heart of your enemy is the most powerful weapon you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-canfield/if-there-s-one-thing-i-ve-learned-about-war-it-s-that-fear-in-the/)

[dennis canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-canfield/)

> [Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make sure you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/do-not-engage-an-enemy-more-powerful-than-you-and-if-it-is/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [Don't be afraid of the enemy that fights you, but the fake friend that hugs you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-be-afraid-of-the-enemy-that-fights-you-but-the-fake-friend-that/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [He who cheats with an oath acknowledges that he is afraid of his enemy, but that he thinks little of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/he-who-cheats-with-an-oath-acknowledges-that-he-is-afraid-of-his/)

[Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/)

> [A man who is afraid of death will be afraid of life also, because life brings death. If you are afraid of the enemy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/a-man-who-is-afraid-of-death-will-be-afraid-of-life-also-because-life/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [Above all things, never be afraid. The enemy who forces you to retreat is himself afraid of you at that very moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-maurois/above-all-things-never-be-afraid-the-enemy-who-forces-you-to-retreat/)

[Andre Maurois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-maurois/)

> [Fears are a complete waste of your time. Nine times out of ten, whatever you're afraid of is not dangerous or life threatening. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-stephenson/fears-are-a-complete-waste-of-your-time-nine-times-out-of-ten/)

[Sean Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-stephenson/)

> [Its okay to feel weak/afraid. The important thing is that we face our fears. Thats what makes us strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-okay-to-feel-weak-afraid-the-important-thing-is-that-we-face-our/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [He is a man, and he is afraid. This is not a good combination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-hannah/he-is-a-man-and-he-is-afraid-this-is-not-a-good-combination/)

[Kristin Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-hannah/)

> [The moment you conquer one fear is the minute you conquer many fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-moment-you-conquer-one-fear-is-the-minute-you-conquer-many-fears/)

[Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/)

> [“I cite too the ordinary fears of mortality the inspection of a fast-growing mole on the side of the nose blood in the stool…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-doctorow-2/i-cite-too-the-ordinary-fears-of-mortality-the-inspection-of-a-fast/)

[E.L. Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-doctorow-2/)

> [“face your fears and live well”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane/face-your-fears-and-live-well/)

[dane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane/)

> [Live with your lips pressed against your fears, kissing your fears, neither pulling back nor aggressively violating them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-deida/live-with-your-lips-pressed-against-your-fears-kissing-your-fears/)

[David Deida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-deida/)

> [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

## More by Liu Cixin

> [“This is Galileo,” said Aristotle. “He advocates understanding the world through observation and experiment. He is an unimaginative thinker, but his results demand our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/this-is-galileo-said-aristotle-he-advocates-understanding-the-world/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“She could no longer feel grief. She was now like a Geiger counter that had been subjected to too much radiation, no longer capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/she-could-no-longer-feel-grief-she-was-now-like-a-geiger-counter-that/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“As he left the hospital, he wasn’t scared. The only emotion he felt was loneliness. His alienation had been building up, but had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/as-he-left-the-hospital-he-wasn-t-scared-the-only-emotion-he-felt-was/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“Yes. They spread out to cover the entire solar system. We’re trapped”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/yes-they-spread-out-to-cover-the-entire-solar-system-we-re-trapped/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [I am a conventional science fiction author. But that said, once your work is published, it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/i-am-a-conventional-science-fiction-author-but-that-said-once-your/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“None of these is in line with your original ideal of using the alien civilization as a way to reform humanity. YE: I started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/none-of-these-is-in-line-with-your-original-ideal-of-using-the-alien/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“This was characteristic of ultimate deterrence: The deterrer and the deteree shared the same terror of deterrence itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/this-was-characteristic-of-ultimate-deterrence-the-deterrer-and-the/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction was a horrible event. Dinosaurs and many other animals and plants were killed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/the-cretaceous-paleogene-extinction-was-a-horrible-event-dinosaurs/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“Suppose two thousand years ago, or even earlier, humanity learned that an alien invasion fleet would arrive a few thousand years later. What would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/suppose-two-thousand-years-ago-or-even-earlier-humanity-learned-that/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“Make time for life, or life won’t make time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/make-time-for-life-or-life-won-t-make-time/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [The earth's crust is very thin but the planet can act as a spaceship if a force or energy powerful enough was exerted on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/the-earth-s-crust-is-very-thin-but-the-planet-can-act-as-a-spaceship/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“Indeed, it is the nature of intelligent life to climb mountains. They all want to stand on ever higher ground to gaze ever farther…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/indeed-it-is-the-nature-of-intelligent-life-to-climb-mountains-they/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“I’ve always felt that the greatest and most beautiful stories in the history of humanity were not sung by wandering bards or written by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/i-ve-always-felt-that-the-greatest-and-most-beautiful-stories-in-the/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [“Are you under the impression that the object of everyone else’s love actually exists?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/are-you-under-the-impression-that-the-object-of-everyone-else-s-love/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [My own family went through its own difficulties in the Cultural Revolution, perhaps in a milder form than many other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/my-own-family-went-through-its-own-difficulties-in-the-cultural/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

[Explore all 106 Liu Cixin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

## 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": "“Everyone is afraid of something. The enemy must be, too. The more powerful they are, the more they have to lose to their fears.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Liu Cixin"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enemy-must-be-too-the-more/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Afraid"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enemy-must-be-too-the-more/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65f/liu-cixin-4142_fear_everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enem_990879.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65f/liu-cixin-4142_fear_everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enem_990879.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65f/liu-cixin-4142_fear_everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enem_990879.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Everyone is afraid of something. The enemy must be, too. The more powerful they are, the more they have to…” — Liu Cixin",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Liu Cixin",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Everyone is afraid of something. The...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enemy-must-be-too-the-more/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/everyone-is-afraid-of-something-the-enemy-must-be-too-the-more/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
