---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Stop entertaining those vain fears…"
description: "\"Stop entertaining those vain fears. Remember it is not feeling which constitutes guilt but the consent to such feelings. Only the free will is capable ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/pio-of-pietrelcina-7187_capable_stop-entertaining-those-vain-fears-remem_121985.png"
---

#  Stop entertaining those vain fears. Remember it is not…

![“Stop entertaining those vain fears. Remember it is not feeling which constitutes guilt but the consent to such feelings. Only the free will is capable of good or evil. But when the will sighs under the trial of the tempter and does not will what is presented to it, there is not only no fault but…” quote by Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/pio-of-pietrelcina-7187_capable_stop-entertaining-those-vain-fears-remem_121985.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/pio-of-pietrelcina-7187_capable_stop-entertaining-those-vain-fears-remem_121985.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/pio-of-pietrelcina-7187_capable_stop-entertaining-those-vain-fears-remem_121985.png)

> “Stop entertaining those vain fears. Remember it is not feeling which constitutes guilt but the consent to such feelings. Only the free will is capable of good or evil. But when the will sighs under the trial of the tempter and does not will what is presented to it, there is not only no fault but there is virtue.”

[Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Guilt stems from consenting to harmful feelings; virtue arises when the will resists temptation, regardless of emotional experience.

**In simple terms:** Virtue is choosing good despite feelings.

Key Takeaway

Free will determines moral quality, not emotion.

Themes

ethics free will guilt virtue

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

- confessional counseling
- moral decision‑making
- spiritual formation

Key Concepts

moral philosophy psychology of consent

Practical Applications

- Practice mindfulness of consent
- Cultivate self‑discipline

Questions to Reflect On

- Can one be virtuous without feeling guilt?
- How does consent differ from coercion?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on will can ignore systemic influences on behavior.

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[Catholic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic/) [Consent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Free will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) [Trials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trials/) [Trials and temptations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trials-and-temptations/) [Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vain/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/)

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