--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Terror of being found out is not always a…" description: "\"Terror of being found out is not always a preservative, it sometimes hurries on the act which it ought to prevent.\" — Margaret Oliphant" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/margaret-oliphant-13259_found_terror-of-being-found-out-is-not-always_2506853.jpg" --- # Terror of being found out is not always a preservative, it… ![“Terror of being found out is not always a preservative, it sometimes hurries on the act which it ought to prevent.” quote by Margaret Oliphant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/margaret-oliphant-13259_found_terror-of-being-found-out-is-not-always_2506853.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/margaret-oliphant-13259_found_terror-of-being-found-out-is-not-always_2506853.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/margaret-oliphant-13259_found_terror-of-being-found-out-is-not-always_2506853.jpg) > “Terror of being found out is not always a preservative, it sometimes hurries on the act which it ought to prevent.” [Margaret Oliphant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-oliphant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear of exposure can accelerate the very behavior it aims to stop. **In simple terms:** Fear can hasten the act it fears. Key Takeaway Recognize and manage fear-driven impulses. Themes psychology fear self‑fulfilling prophecy Mood thoughtful cautionary Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - creative work - confessional writing - risk taking Key Concepts anxiety behavioral cycles Questions to Reflect On - What fears push you toward the actions you dread? - How can you break the cycle of fear‑driven haste? A Different Perspective Fear may also motivate caution and preparation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) [Ought Prevent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought-prevent-1117641/) [Preservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preservative-430405/) [Preservative Hurries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preservative-hurries-1117642/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Terror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terror/) [Terror Preservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terror-preservative-1117640/) ## Related quotes > [The fact that many things have no explanation ought to prevent them from happening; but it doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-brilliant/the-fact-that-many-things-have-no-explanation-ought-to-prevent-them/) [Ashleigh Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-brilliant/) > [Correct opinions well established on any subject are the best preservative against the seduction of error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mant/correct-opinions-well-established-on-any-subject-are-the-best/) [Richard Mant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mant/) > [To be busy with material affairs is the best preservative against reflection, fears, doubts ... all these things which stand in the way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/to-be-busy-with-material-affairs-is-the-best-preservative-against/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [“The shelf life of any great love is fifteen years. 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Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) ## More by Margaret Oliphant > [What happiness is there which is not purchased with more or less of pain?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-oliphant/what-happiness-is-there-which-is-not-purchased-with-more-or-less-of/) [Margaret Oliphant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-oliphant/) > [I think reading a novel is almost next best to having something to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-oliphant/i-think-reading-a-novel-is-almost-next-best-to-having-something-to-do/) [Margaret Oliphant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-oliphant/) > [All perfection is melancholy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-oliphant/all-perfection-is-melancholy/) [Margaret Oliphant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-oliphant/) > [Married people do stand up so for each other when you say a word, however they may fight between themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-oliphant/married-people-do-stand-up-so-for-each-other-when-you-say-a-word/) [Margaret Oliphant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-oliphant/) > [“Don’t you think a certain amount of civilisation is necessary before picture-frames will become remunerative? 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