--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are afraid of the known and afraid of…" description: "\"We are afraid of the known and afraid of the unknown. That is our daily life and in that there is no hope, and therefore every form of philosophy, ever..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/thomas-jefferson-43_atheism_we-are-afraid-of-the-known-and-afraid-of_1388798.jpg" --- # We are afraid of the known and afraid of the unknown. That… ![“We are afraid of the known and afraid of the unknown. That is our daily life and in that there is no hope, and therefore every form of philosophy, every form of theological concept, is merely an escape from the actual reality of what is. All outward forms of change brought about by wars…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/thomas-jefferson-43_atheism_we-are-afraid-of-the-known-and-afraid-of_1388798.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/thomas-jefferson-43_atheism_we-are-afraid-of-the-known-and-afraid-of_1388798.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/thomas-jefferson-43_atheism_we-are-afraid-of-the-known-and-afraid-of_1388798.jpg) > “We are afraid of the known and afraid of the unknown. That is our daily life and in that there is no hope, and therefore every form of philosophy, every form of theological concept, is merely an escape from the actual reality of what is. All outward forms of change brought about by wars, revolutions, reformations, laws and ideologies have failed completely to change the basic nature of man and therefore of society.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans fear both familiarity and novelty; philosophy and religion become escapes, while major societal changes fail to alter human nature. **In simple terms:** Fear limits understanding. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about change. Themes fear philosophy human nature societal change Mood skeptical thoughtful Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - personal crises - political upheavals - cultural shifts - educational reform Key Concepts existentialism political theory psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do we confront fear of the unknown? - Can philosophy offer practical solutions? A Different Perspective The view may overlook incremental progress and individual transformation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Daily life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daily-life/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Ideology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideology/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [No hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-hope/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [All philosophy is a form of confession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/all-philosophy-is-a-form-of-confession/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“The incarnation was a mere theological concept taught to them over the years to be doctrine and held as a foundation for their faith.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rj-blizzard/the-incarnation-was-a-mere-theological-concept-taught-to-them-over/) [RJ Blizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rj-blizzard/) > [Scholasticism, a concept which does not bear criticism, is a theological concept specifically designed to sustain faith in the immortality of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/scholasticism-a-concept-which-does-not-bear-criticism-is-a/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [“Poetry is the most potent form of philosophy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/poetry-is-the-most-potent-form-of-philosophy/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [The most effective way of destroying art is the canonization of one given form. And one philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yevgeny-zamyatin/the-most-effective-way-of-destroying-art-is-the-canonization-of-one/) [Yevgeny Zamyatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yevgeny-zamyatin/) > [This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/this-so-called-contemporary-art-is-not-a-form-but-a-philosophy-of/) [Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/) > [You do what you have to do in life, when you form a philosophy that you can't talk yourself out of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constantine-karamanlis/you-do-what-you-have-to-do-in-life-when-you-form-a-philosophy-that/) Constantine Karamanlis > [Only lifeless mechanisms move along faultlessly straight lines and compass circles. In art the surest way to destroy is to canonize one given form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yevgeny-zamyatin/only-lifeless-mechanisms-move-along-faultlessly-straight-lines-and/) [Yevgeny Zamyatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yevgeny-zamyatin/) > [“Such is the nature of people: they regret that what was, although it wasn't even nice, because they are afraid of what will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osyp-nazaruk/such-is-the-nature-of-people-they-regret-that-what-was-although-it/) [Osyp Nazaruk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osyp-nazaruk/) > [The greatest friend of the soul is the unknown. Yet we are afraid of the unknown because it lies outside our vision and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-donohue/the-greatest-friend-of-the-soul-is-the-unknown-yet-we-are-afraid-of/) [John O'Donohue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-donohue/) > [Unlike a lot of people, I'm not afraid of the unknown. It intrigues me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misha-green/unlike-a-lot-of-people-i-m-not-afraid-of-the-unknown-it-intrigues-me/) [Misha Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misha-green/) > [You do not travel if you are afraid of the unknown, you travel for the unknown, that reveals you with yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-maillart/you-do-not-travel-if-you-are-afraid-of-the-unknown-you-travel-for-the/) [Ella Maillart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-maillart/) > [“I was afraid of the unknown. I was afraid of the sham and the gift I thought I lacked. I was afraid of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/i-was-afraid-of-the-unknown-i-was-afraid-of-the-sham-and-the-gift-i/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“Do not be afraid of the unknown, Jake. When you cannot see something, or do not know of it, it does not always follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-j-webb/do-not-be-afraid-of-the-unknown-jake-when-you-cannot-see-something-or/) M.J. Webb > [“You are only afraid if you are not in harmony with yourself. People are afraid because they have never owned up to themselves. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/you-are-only-afraid-if-you-are-not-in-harmony-with-yourself-people/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? 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