--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fear isn’t the answer. If we’re afraid of…" description: "\"“Fear isn’t the answer. If we’re afraid of everything, then we’re afraid to do anything, and that means we’re giving up our freedom.”\" — Matthew Mather" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/matthew-mather-12556_afraid_fear-isn-t-the-answer-if-we-re-afraid-of_2855184.jpg" --- # Fear isn’t the answer. If we’re afraid of everything, then… ![“Fear isn’t the answer. If we’re afraid of everything, then we’re afraid to do anything, and that means we’re giving up our freedom.” quote by Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/matthew-mather-12556_afraid_fear-isn-t-the-answer-if-we-re-afraid-of_2855184.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/matthew-mather-12556_afraid_fear-isn-t-the-answer-if-we-re-afraid-of_2855184.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/matthew-mather-12556_afraid_fear-isn-t-the-answer-if-we-re-afraid-of_2855184.jpg) > ““Fear isn’t the answer. If we’re afraid of everything, then we’re afraid to do anything, and that means we’re giving up our freedom.”” [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear prevents action and freedom; avoiding fear is essential to maintaining liberty. **In simple terms:** Fear blocks action and freedom. Key Takeaway Confront fear to preserve freedom. Themes psychology freedom action Mood motivational reflective Type self‑help philosophical When to use this quote - personal development - social activism - mental health Key Concepts courage self‑empowerment Questions to Reflect On - What fears hold you back? - How can you act despite fear? A Different Perspective Fear can also protect from harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) [Afraid Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-means-1913798/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-isn-556774/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Giving Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-freedom-517794/) ## Related quotes > [In the original language, 'Fear the Lord' doesn't mean be afraid. It means sustaining a joyful, astonished awe, and wonder before Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/in-the-original-language-fear-the-lord-doesn-t-mean-be-afraid-it/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Fear not, it doesn't mean not to feel afraid; rather, it means to decide to press on even in the face of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-williams/fear-not-it-doesn-t-mean-not-to-feel-afraid-rather-it-means-to-decide/) [Craig Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-williams/) > [“We are who we are. I have no desire to be something else. But right now I’m afraid of what it means for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/we-are-who-we-are-i-have-no-desire-to-be-something-else-but-right-now/) [Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/) > [But then peace, peace! I am so mistrustful of it: so much afraid that it means a sort of weakness and giving in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/but-then-peace-peace-i-am-so-mistrustful-of-it-so-much-afraid-that-it/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [... to be afraid is in a way to be hopeful, because to be afraid means that you haven't given up. You know it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-rollin/to-be-afraid-is-in-a-way-to-be-hopeful-because-to-be-afraid-means/) [Betty Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-rollin/) > [“Knowing what you're afraid of means you know why your pulse is racing, and that knowledge provides you with a choice: Handle the anxiety…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/knowing-what-you-re-afraid-of-means-you-know-why-your-pulse-is-racing/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“I'm afraid to have a boyfriend. I don't know how to do that and not lose who I want to be. And I'm afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-karr/i-m-afraid-to-have-a-boyfriend-i-don-t-know-how-to-do-that-and-not/) [Julia Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-karr/) > [Becoming a fashion designer is agreeing with the fact that what you experience or what you see as free is also connected to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raf-simons/becoming-a-fashion-designer-is-agreeing-with-the-fact-that-what-you/) [Raf Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raf-simons/) > [“I’m giving you your freedom tonight, Ashton. So fucking take it.” I don’t regret a second of it. Not as he flips me onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-a-tucker/i-m-giving-you-your-freedom-tonight-ashton-so-fucking-take-it-i-don-t/) [K.A. Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-a-tucker/) > [You know, the Emancipation Proclamation was like giving freedom to domestic animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/you-know-the-emancipation-proclamation-was-like-giving-freedom-to/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [“He turned. "She would never marry for wordly advantage." "Yet when she experiences the consequence she gains in such a marriage, she will feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-halstead/he-turned-she-would-never-marry-for-wordly-advantage-yet-when-she/) [Helen Halstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-halstead/) > [The perfection of our union, especially our commitment to equality of opportunity, has been a story of constant striving to live up to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/the-perfection-of-our-union-especially-our-commitment-to-equality-of/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-giving-freedom-to-the-slave-we-assure-freedom-to-the-free/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“Love is not about being with the person you love. It's about giving them the freedom to choose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/notjustarandomgirl/love-is-not-about-being-with-the-person-you-love-it-s-about-giving/) [Notjustarandomgirl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/notjustarandomgirl/) > [“Putting down the burden of the lie has meant giving up the freedom of the dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-l-stedman/putting-down-the-burden-of-the-lie-has-meant-giving-up-the-freedom-of/) [M.L. Stedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-l-stedman/) ## More by Matthew Mather > [“Stepping through the foot of snow and ash covering the roof, she found the stairway down. The door was locked. She chambered a round…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/stepping-through-the-foot-of-snow-and-ash-covering-the-roof-she-found/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“A democracy based on fear is not a democracy. Fear of the commies, fear of the terrorists—it never ends! You know who else used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/a-democracy-based-on-fear-is-not-a-democracy-fear-of-the-commies-fear/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“The use of the shemagh and keffiyeh had been adopted by US troops since the war in Iraq”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/the-use-of-the-shemagh-and-keffiyeh-had-been-adopted-by-us-troops/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“Everything needs to be vetted by a million committees, and we’re afraid of practically everything. We’re just not willing to accept risk anymore, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/everything-needs-to-be-vetted-by-a-million-committees-and-we-re/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“Without artificial light, humans were scared animals that scurried into their nests at sunset. Darkness brought out the monsters that existed in our primal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/without-artificial-light-humans-were-scared-animals-that-scurried/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“This cyberwar felt like it had nothing to do with the future but was a part of the past, as if we were burrowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/this-cyberwar-felt-like-it-had-nothing-to-do-with-the-future-but-was/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“Damon stared at me while Chuck read the message, a tendon in his neck flexing. “And we need more guns,” said Chuck from between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/damon-stared-at-me-while-chuck-read-the-message-a-tendon-in-his-neck/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“The only meaning to life is the one that you give it, and don't let anyone tell you diffrent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/the-only-meaning-to-life-is-the-one-that-you-give-it-and-don-t-let/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“enough duct tape, you can fix anything,” he laughed. “Perfect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/enough-duct-tape-you-can-fix-anything-he-laughed-perfect/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“didn’t take the bait. “Have you been introduced to the Borodins?” I motioned toward the elderly Russian couple at the table beside them. Aleksandr,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/didn-t-take-the-bait-have-you-been-introduced-to-the-borodins-i/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“Do people really want to make the world a better place?” I asked. “Or do they just want to make a better place for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/do-people-really-want-to-make-the-world-a-better-place-i-asked-or-do/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“Any technology that was sufficiently advanced seemed like magic to someone unfamiliar,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/any-technology-that-was-sufficiently-advanced-seemed-like-magic-to/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“Reaching down, I pulled out the other bags and began stuffing them into my backpack while I looked to the next glowing red circle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/reaching-down-i-pulled-out-the-other-bags-and-began-stuffing-them/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“Taking a deep breath, I realized I had it wrong. There was something we could still do. We can give their loved ones some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/taking-a-deep-breath-i-realized-i-had-it-wrong-there-was-something-we/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [“People spent their lives searching for peace by chasing idle dreams, addictions, money, religion, and even other people, hoping to fill some gap. Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/people-spent-their-lives-searching-for-peace-by-chasing-idle-dreams/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) [Explore all 51 Matthew Mather quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Fear isn’t the answer. 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