Fear Quote by Matthew Sturges
““Lovecraft said that the oldest and strongest type of fear is the fear of the unknown. And he was an authority on such matters. But that's not exactly it, is it? We like the unknown. We're hunky dory with the unknown. We are, in fact, perfectly thrilled with the unknown -- as long as it remains unknown and we never have to think about it. What we're really afraid of is that the unknown will stand up and demand to be recognized. That it won't get out of the way quickly enough and we'll step in it, all squishy and moist. We're terrified at night in the dark that the rough, slouching unknown will crawl into bed and give us a hot wet kiss on the neck. We're not afraid of the unknown. We're afraid of the unknown becoming known.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Fear of the Unknown, Matthew Sturges, 2015
People fear not the unknown itself but the moment it becomes known and forces them to confront reality.
In simple terms: We dread the unknown becoming known.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty before it solidifies.
Themes
fear
uncertainty
knowledge
Mood
anxious
curious
Type
psychological
motivational
When to use this quote
- career transitions
- personal growth
- creative projects
- relationship changes
Key Concepts
existential anxiety
psychology
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- What unknown are you avoiding becoming known?
- How can you turn fear of revelation into curiosity?
A Different Perspective
Fear can also motivate exploration, not just avoidance.
