Fear Quote by Pema Chodron
“Hope and fear come from feeling that we lack something; they come from a sense of poverty. We can’t simply relax with ourselves. We hold on to hope, and hope robs us of the present moment. We feel that someone else knows what is going on, but that there is something missing in us, and therefore something is lacking in our world.”
About This Quote
Source Book: When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron, 1996
We cling to hope and fear because we sense inner emptiness, which distracts us from fully experiencing the present.
In simple terms: Hope and fear arise from feeling incomplete, pulling us away from now.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and accept present moment without clinging.
Themes
mindfulness
presence
inner scarcity
acceptance
Mood
contemplative
calm
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- meditation
- therapy
- daily mindfulness practice
- stressful work situations
Key Concepts
existential anxiety
attachment
self‑compassion
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “present moment” mean to you?
- How can you balance hope with acceptance?
A Different Perspective
Hope can motivate change but also trap us in dissatisfaction.
![“Hope strengthens. Fear kills[...] That simple adage is master of every situation, every choice. Each morning we wake up, we get to choose between hope and fear and apply one of those emotions to everything we do. Do we greet things that come our way with joy? Or suspicion?” quote by Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3fe/karen-marie-moning-189_adages_hope-strengthens-fear-kills-that-simple_795560.jpg)
