Customs Quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley
“In each human heart terror survives The ravin it has gorged: the loftiest fear All that they would disdain to think were true: Hypocrisy and custom make their minds The fanes of many a worship, now outworn. They dare not devise good for man's estate, And yet they know not that they do not dare.”
About This Quote
Human beings hide deep fears behind hypocrisy and tradition, preventing genuine progress and honest self‑assessment.
In simple terms: People mask true anxieties with customs, blocking real improvement.
Key Takeaway
Fear disguised by social convention hinders growth.
Themes
fear
hypocrisy
tradition
self‑deception
progress
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- political rhetoric
- corporate culture
- personal relationships
- educational reform
Key Concepts
psychology of denial
social conformity
Practical Applications
- Encourage transparent dialogue
- Challenge entrenched norms
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears do you conceal behind routine?
- How might honesty reshape your community?
A Different Perspective
Some fear can be constructive, prompting caution and resilience.
![“You [demagogues] are like the fishers for eels; in still waters they catch nothing, but if they thoroughly stir up the slime, their fishing is good; in the same way it's only in troublous times that you line your pockets.” quote by Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4f7/aristophanes-3340_demagoguery_you-demagogues-are-like-the-fishers-for_87488.jpg)
