--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the lab rats hear the bell ringing…" description: "\"When the lab rats hear the bell ringing, they freeze. That's what fear does to you - fear stops you dead in your tracks. Fear can keep you from harm, b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/rob-bell-1025_bells_when-the-lab-rats-hear-the-bell-ringing_1812025.png" --- # When the lab rats hear the bell ringing, they freeze… ![“When the lab rats hear the bell ringing, they freeze. That's what fear does to you - fear stops you dead in your tracks. Fear can keep you from harm, but fear can also rob you of your potential. Fear can rob you of an experience. Fear can rob you of happiness. Fear can rob you of real life…” quote by Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/rob-bell-1025_bells_when-the-lab-rats-hear-the-bell-ringing_1812025.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/rob-bell-1025_bells_when-the-lab-rats-hear-the-bell-ringing_1812025.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/rob-bell-1025_bells_when-the-lab-rats-hear-the-bell-ringing_1812025.png) > “When the lab rats hear the bell ringing, they freeze. That's what fear does to you - fear stops you dead in your tracks. Fear can keep you from harm, but fear can also rob you of your potential. Fear can rob you of an experience. Fear can rob you of happiness. Fear can rob you of real life... Darkness has a way of scaring us...” [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear can immobilize, protecting from danger but also stealing experiences, happiness, and life, showing its dual nature as both safeguard and barrier. **In simple terms:** Fear stops you but also takes away life and joy. Key Takeaway Balance caution with action to avoid missing out. Themes fear control potential protection Mood cautious motivational reflective Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - career choices - personal growth - creative projects - health decisions Key Concepts psychology risk management motivation Questions to Reflect On - What risks have you avoided because of fear? - When has fear protected you from harm? A Different Perspective Fear can be useful, but the quote may ignore situations where caution is essential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bells/) [Bells ringing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bells-ringing/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Harm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harm/) [Labs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labs/) [Life Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-darkness/) [Real life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-life/) ## Related quotes > [What is fear? Why are you so afraid? Even if everything is known about you and you are an open book, why fear? How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/what-is-fear-why-are-you-so-afraid-even-if-everything-is-known-about/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [The only honorable, desirable kind of fear that shouldn't be feared is the fear of harm on a loved one. It's the kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-honorable-desirable-kind-of-fear-that-shouldn-t-be-feared-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [I think that it's rational to fear your own death or to fear harm to your family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-nussbaum/i-think-that-it-s-rational-to-fear-your-own-death-or-to-fear-harm-to/) [Martha Nussbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-nussbaum/) > [“Only the frantic of fear can harm you. Your calm and centered self knows exactly what to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/only-the-frantic-of-fear-can-harm-you-your-calm-and-centered-self/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“We can always count on people to hate and to fear.To harm one another and to be harmed.To kill and be killed.It is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-holt/we-can-always-count-on-people-to-hate-and-to-fear-to-harm-one-another/) [Simon Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-holt/) > [Living with fear stops us taking risks, and if you don't go out on the branch, you're never going to get the best fruit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-parish/living-with-fear-stops-us-taking-risks-and-if-you-don-t-go-out-on-the/) [Sarah Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-parish/) > [It is not fear that stops you from doing the brave and true thing in your daily life. Rather, the problem is avoidance. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-lerner/it-is-not-fear-that-stops-you-from-doing-the-brave-and-true-thing-in/) [Harriet Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-lerner/) > [Fear sometimes stops you from doing stupid things. But it can also stop you from doing creative or exciting or experimental things. It can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tribhuvan-suthar/fear-sometimes-stops-you-from-doing-stupid-things-but-it-can-also/) [Tribhuvan Suthar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tribhuvan-suthar/) > [Fear stops a lot of people. Fear of failure, of the unknown, of risk. And it masks itself as procrastination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-anderson/fear-stops-a-lot-of-people-fear-of-failure-of-the-unknown-of-risk-and/) Lisa Anderson > [Fear is what stops you... courage is what keeps you going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roumain/fear-is-what-stops-you-courage-is-what-keeps-you-going/) [Roumain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roumain/) > [Fear is what stops you... courages is what keeps you going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie/fear-is-what-stops-you-courages-is-what-keeps-you-going/) [Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie/) > [“If you want to be in a relationship don’t let it be fear that stops you. By allowing fear to steer your decision, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trish-taylor/if-you-want-to-be-in-a-relationship-don-t-let-it-be-fear-that-stops/) [Trish Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trish-taylor/) > [“It was all about taking the leap of faith. It said that the fear that stops us from doing what we really want, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/effrosyni-moschoudi/it-was-all-about-taking-the-leap-of-faith-it-said-that-the-fear-that/) [Effrosyni Moschoudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/effrosyni-moschoudi/) > [DON'T be afraid to reach toward your dreams. FEAR stops you only if you let it. PLAN carefully for that first essential move- and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-be-afraid-to-reach-toward-your-dreams-fear-stops-you-only-if/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Fear. It is likely to be the most well played card of the enemy. Fear stops you from fully understanding what lies around you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-evan-johnson/fear-it-is-likely-to-be-the-most-well-played-card-of-the-enemy-fear/) [J. Evan Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-evan-johnson/) ## More by Rob Bell > [If the gospel isn't good news for everybody, then it isn't good news for anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/if-the-gospel-isn-t-good-news-for-everybody-then-it-isn-t-good-news/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn’t as bright as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/why-blame-the-dark-for-being-dark-it-is-far-more-helpful-to-ask-why/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [“This story... blasts to pieces our biases and labels with a declaration that God is on everyone's side, extending grace and compassion to everyone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/this-story-blasts-to-pieces-our-biases-and-labels-with-a-declaration/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [One truth is that suffering raises profound questions with the universe. The other truth is that grace, gift and generosity also raise profound questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/one-truth-is-that-suffering-raises-profound-questions-with-the/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [For Jesus, heaven and hell were present realities. Ways of living we can enter into here and now. He talked very little of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/for-jesus-heaven-and-hell-were-present-realities-ways-of-living-we/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [Love is what God is, love is why Jesus came, and love is why he continues to come, year after year to person after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/love-is-what-god-is-love-is-why-jesus-came-and-love-is-why-he/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [I believe that God is love. I believe that Jesus came to show us this love, to give us this love, to teach us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/i-believe-that-god-is-love-i-believe-that-jesus-came-to-show-us-this/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [If the gospel isn't good news for everybody, then it isn't good news for anybody. And this is because the most powerful things happen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/if-the-gospel-isn-t-good-news-for-everybody-then-it-isn-t-good-news-2/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [“I don’t read the Bible like a flat line. I don’t see all of the passages in the Bible sitting equally side by side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/i-don-t-read-the-bible-like-a-flat-line-i-don-t-see-all-of-the/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [To elevate abstract doctrines and dogmas over living, breathing, embodied experiences of God's love and grace, then, is going the wrong direction. It's taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/to-elevate-abstract-doctrines-and-dogmas-over-living-breathing/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [The modern world has created airports and hospitals and put 10,000 songs in our pocket. It has built gleaming buildings and computers and advances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-modern-world-has-created-airports-and-hospitals-and-put-10-000/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [God is bigger than the Christian faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/god-is-bigger-than-the-christian-faith/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [What you believe about the future shapes, informs, and determines how you live now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/what-you-believe-about-the-future-shapes-informs-and-determines-how/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [The life you want begins by embracing the life you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-life-you-want-begins-by-embracing-the-life-you-have/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [It takes quite a spine to turn the other cheek. It takes phenomenal fortitude to love your enemy. It takes firm resolve to pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/it-takes-quite-a-spine-to-turn-the-other-cheek-it-takes-phenomenal/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) [Explore all 305 Rob Bell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) ## More Bells quotes > [You’re crazy,” said her best friend, Angela, as the bell rang to signal five minutes before the first class on the first day back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/you-re-crazy-said-her-best-friend-angela-as-the-bell-rang-to-signal/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [Your name is a golden bell hung in my heart. I would break my body to pieces to call you once by your name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/your-name-is-a-golden-bell-hung-in-my-heart-i-would-break-my-body-to/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“Suddenly the air was full of that deep clangor of bells which periodically covers Rome with a roof of silver.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/suddenly-the-air-was-full-of-that-deep-clangor-of-bells-which/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [Hercules used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" said Percy "Percy... Chiron's collection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hercules-used-noise-brass-bells-he-scared-them-away-with-the-most/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-clarence-stedman/above-the-clouds-i-lift-my-wing-to-hear-the-bells-of-heaven-ring-some/) [Edmund Clarence Stedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-clarence-stedman/) > [“But it’s bells at twenty-seven thousand feet as the plane breaks into the clear again, as its motion steadies again; it is bells; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/but-it-s-bells-at-twenty-seven-thousand-feet-as-the-plane-breaks-into/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [You run the football for toughness. You run the ball to tell your opponent that you're as tough as they are. But you throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-glanville/you-run-the-football-for-toughness-you-run-the-ball-to-tell-your/) Jerry Glanville > [In cloths cheap handsomeness, doth bear the bell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-cloths-cheap-handsomeness-doth-bear-the-bell/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Man preys on man; and you mourn for the idle tapestry that decorated a gothic pillar, and the dronish bell that summoned the fat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/man-preys-on-man-and-you-mourn-for-the-idle-tapestry-that-decorated-a/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) > [The Bell curve is a fact of life. The blacks on average score 85 per cent on IQ and it is accurate, nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/the-bell-curve-is-a-fact-of-life-the-blacks-on-average-score-85-per/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [There is nothing better for me than to bring the bells in, in Scotland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharleen-spiteri/there-is-nothing-better-for-me-than-to-bring-the-bells-in-in-scotland/) [Sharleen Spiteri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharleen-spiteri/) > [Now see that noble and most sovereign reason, Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/now-see-that-noble-and-most-sovereign-reason-like-sweet-bells-jangled/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [ I became an instant fan of the show \[Underground\] seconds into the opening frames of the pilot. When that drone shot carried us through… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aisha-hinds/i-became-an-instant-fan-of-the-show-underground-seconds-into-the/) [Aisha Hinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aisha-hinds/) > [This world o' God's is brighter Than we ever dream or know; Its burdens growin' lighter- An' it's Love that makes 'em so! An'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lebby-stanton/this-world-o-god-s-is-brighter-than-we-ever-dream-or-know-its-burdens/) [Frank Lebby Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lebby-stanton/) > [Believe it or not, Mexican cooking, for those of you who have not gone farther south than Taco Bell, uses a lot of vegetables.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-cisneros/believe-it-or-not-mexican-cooking-for-those-of-you-who-have-not-gone/) [Sandra Cisneros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-cisneros/) [Browse all 790 Bells quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bells/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When the lab rats hear the bell ringing, they freeze. That's what fear does to you - fear stops you dead in your tracks. Fear can keep you from harm, but fear can also rob you of your potential. Fear can rob you of an experience. Fear can rob you of happiness. Fear can rob you of real life... 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