--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I sat there afraid that I might discover…" description: "\"I sat there afraid that I might discover that the world around me is not real. then i thought: wait. i need fear that only if its true, and if it is, i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/philip-k-jason-38757_coward_i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover_2119144.jpg" --- # I sat there afraid that I might discover that the world… ![“I sat there afraid that I might discover that the world around me is not real. then i thought: wait. i need fear that only if its true, and if it is, i must consider that while this may be bad, worse than that is living in a world that is only real because i am a coward.” quote by Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/philip-k-jason-38757_coward_i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover_2119144.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/philip-k-jason-38757_coward_i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover_2119144.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/philip-k-jason-38757_coward_i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover_2119144.jpg) > “I sat there afraid that I might discover that the world around me is not real. then i thought: wait. i need fear that only if its true, and if it is, i must consider that while this may be bad, worse than that is living in a world that is only real because i am a coward.” [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) ## 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 discovering unreality can be unsettling, yet confronting it may reveal courage versus cowardice. **In simple terms:** Facing fear of unreality tests courage. Key Takeaway Confront fear to discover truth. Themes fear reality courage Mood anxious thoughtful Type existential motivational When to use this quote - philosophical inquiry - creative writing - personal growth Key Concepts existential doubt self‑deception psychology Questions to Reflect On - What truths might you avoid? - How do you differentiate fear from caution? A Different Perspective Fear may paralyze, preventing action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) [Afraid Discover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-discover-4314313/) [Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coward/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Need Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-fear/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Sat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sat/) [Sat Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sat-afraid-4314312/) [Waiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waiting/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“Who has not sat, afraid, before his heart's curtain?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/who-has-not-sat-afraid-before-his-heart-s-curtain/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [“The coward and the ignorant are equally afraid of failure and humiliation. Escape is not a choice for them, as they find themselves having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/the-coward-and-the-ignorant-are-equally-afraid-of-failure-and/) [Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/) > [“If I've never stepped outside the role that's been assigned to me since birth, I've never tested myself. I've been too afraid of others'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/if-i-ve-never-stepped-outside-the-role-that-s-been-assigned-to-me/) [Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/) > [Trust in God and ye need not fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/trust-in-god-and-ye-need-not-fear/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [There's no need to fear or hope, but only to look for new weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/there-s-no-need-to-fear-or-hope-but-only-to-look-for-new-weapons/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-you-know-the-enemy-and-know-yourself-you-need-not-fear-the-result/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“and violent, and they need to fear it. If”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-david-roberts/and-violent-and-they-need-to-fear-it-if/) [Gregory David Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-david-roberts/) > [Fear is like the steam that fires the combustion engine. You need fear to get a performance going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-weisz/fear-is-like-the-steam-that-fires-the-combustion-engine-you-need-fear/) [Rachel Weisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-weisz/) > [“You need not fear it, but you must always bear in mind that the past is never quite as finished with you as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-kennish/you-need-not-fear-it-but-you-must-always-bear-in-mind-that-the-past/) [Kathryn Kennish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-kennish/) > [“You need have no fear. But were I to meet you, sir, you would lie dead at my feet within the space of five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/you-need-have-no-fear-but-were-i-to-meet-you-sir-you-would-lie-dead/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [I need to rebel against myself. It's the opposite of following your bliss. I need to do what I most fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/i-need-to-rebel-against-myself-it-s-the-opposite-of-following-your/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“If you're outmatched, out-numbered, out-skilled, you'll run and live to fight another day." Lucky stopped jogging and pulled her close to him. He gently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-brumfield/if-you-re-outmatched-out-numbered-out-skilled-you-ll-run-and-live-to/) [Jami Brumfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-brumfield/) > [It's not the gods But our own hearts We need to fear. The evil starts Against all odds Not there but here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-seth/it-s-not-the-gods-but-our-own-hearts-we-need-to-fear-the-evil-starts/) [Vikram Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-seth/) > [Let the end of the world be inside you, then you don't need to fear the end of the world out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/let-the-end-of-the-world-be-inside-you-then-you-don-t-need-to-fear/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Even though we must walk in the land of fear, there is no need to fear. The power of His resurrection comes before the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/even-though-we-must-walk-in-the-land-of-fear-there-is-no-need-to-fear/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) ## More by Philip K. Jason > [There is no paradox. There is only irony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/there-is-no-paradox-there-is-only-irony/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) > [We trade away some, if not much, of our freedom for the feeling of safety that comes with sticking with what we know because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/we-trade-away-some-if-not-much-of-our-freedom-for-the-feeling-of/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) > [Live in the present as if the future is going to become the past that you have changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/live-in-the-present-as-if-the-future-is-going-to-become-the-past-that/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) > [If it ever seems to us that the world is a place where bad things only happen to good people, it is because we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/if-it-ever-seems-to-us-that-the-world-is-a-place-where-bad-things/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) > [As humans, we are rarely anything more than children that have let the changes to the size and shape of our genitals convince us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/as-humans-we-are-rarely-anything-more-than-children-that-have-let-the/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) > [One can feel the immense joy of Amy Hill Hearth's engagement in her first novel. It radiates through every scene and through every page.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/one-can-feel-the-immense-joy-of-amy-hill-hearth-s-engagement-in-her/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) > [Every time you tell someone that you are going to fly and they talk about gravity, that is doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/every-time-you-tell-someone-that-you-are-going-to-fly-and-they-talk/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) > [He who sees age on the outside of things is doomed to underestimate the vitality of raisins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/he-who-sees-age-on-the-outside-of-things-is-doomed-to-underestimate/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) > [To love someone is to always see them as the miracle that they are; as the miracle that they exist, the miracle that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/to-love-someone-is-to-always-see-them-as-the-miracle-that-they-are-as/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) > [Hope's Folly is a rapid-fire romp through futuristic political intrigue and high-risk passion The tug of war between decorum and passion keeps the romantic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/hope-s-folly-is-a-rapid-fire-romp-through-futuristic-political/) [Philip K. Jason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) [Explore all 11 Philip K. Jason quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/) ## 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": "I sat there afraid that I might discover that the world around me is not real. then i thought: wait. i need fear that only if its true, and if it is, i must consider that while this may be bad, worse than that is living in a world that is only real because i am a coward.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Philip K. Jason" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover-that-the-world-around-me-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afraid" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover-that-the-world-around-me-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/philip-k-jason-38757_coward_i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover_2119144.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/philip-k-jason-38757_coward_i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover_2119144.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/philip-k-jason-38757_coward_i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover_2119144.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I sat there afraid that I might discover that the world around me is not real. then i thought: wait. i need…” — Philip K. Jason", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Philip K. Jason", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-jason/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I sat there afraid that I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover-that-the-world-around-me-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-jason/i-sat-there-afraid-that-i-might-discover-that-the-world-around-me-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```