Dragon Quote by Rainer Maria Rilke
““We have no reason to harbor any mistrust against our world, for it is not against us. If it has terrors, they are our terrors; if it has abysses, these abysses belong to us; if there are dangers, we must try to love them. And if only we arrange our life in accordance with the principle which tells us that we must always trust in the difficult, then what now appears to us as the most alien will become our most intimate and trusted experience. How could we forget those ancient myths that stand at the beginning of all races, the myths about dragons that at the last moment are transformed into princesses? Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Dragon” (approx. 1910) by Rainer Maria Rilke
The passage urges embracing fear and the unknown, seeing threats as opportunities for love and transformation, trusting that what seems alien can become intimate.
In simple terms: Face fear, love the unknown, transform danger into intimacy.
Key Takeaway
Trust difficulty, act with courage and beauty.
Themes
courage
trust
transformation
myth
self‑discovery
Mood
reflective
hopeful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
poetic
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative work
- relationships
- spiritual practice
- overcoming anxiety
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your “dragon” represent?
- How can love change your perception of danger?
A Different Perspective
Fear may persist despite love; not all threats are harmless.
![“Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus [ never tickle a sleeping dragon ]” quote by J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1a0/j-k-rowling-86_draco_draco-dormiens-nunquam-titillandus-never_2111.jpg)
