---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: was no longer a child, afraid of the…"
description: "\"“was no longer a child, afraid of the threat my terrifying father posed to my safety. I was a man, afraid of the threat he posed to my character, to my..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/veronica-roth-66_afraid_was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-thre_1201972.png"
---

#  was no longer a child, afraid of the threat my terrifying…

![“was no longer a child, afraid of the threat my terrifying father posed to my safety. I was a man, afraid of the threat he posed to my character, to my future, to my identity.” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/veronica-roth-66_afraid_was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-thre_1201972.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/veronica-roth-66_afraid_was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-thre_1201972.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/veronica-roth-66_afraid_was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-thre_1201972.png)

> ““was no longer a child, afraid of the threat my terrifying father posed to my safety. I was a man, afraid of the threat he posed to my character, to my future, to my identity.””

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

## About This Quote

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

A man fears the influence of his father on his identity and future, not just physical safety.

**In simple terms:** Fear of parental impact on self.

Key Takeaway

Reflect on how family shapes personal growth.

Themes

family identity fear

Mood

introspective empathetic

Type

literary motivational

When to use this quote

- therapy sessions
- parent‑child relationships
- career decisions

Key Concepts

psychological inheritance self‑concept

Questions to Reflect On

- How have you confronted parental expectations?
- What steps can you take to define your own identity?

A Different Perspective

The quote may generalize individual experiences.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/)

## Related quotes

> [I was still afraid of him, I knew, but in a different way - I was no longer a child, afraid of the threat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-was-still-afraid-of-him-i-knew-but-in-a-different-way-i-was-no/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“I was a man, afraid of the threat he posed to my character, to my future, to my identity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-was-a-man-afraid-of-the-threat-he-posed-to-my-character-to-my/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“Today is a new day! Let today be the day you free your mind from the prison of self doubt. Your thoughts can either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amaka-imani-nkosazana/today-is-a-new-day-let-today-be-the-day-you-free-your-mind-from-the/)

[Amaka Imani Nkosazana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amaka-imani-nkosazana/)

> [“When we are afraid of ourselves and afraid of the seeming threat the world presents, then we become extremely selfish. We want to build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/when-we-are-afraid-of-ourselves-and-afraid-of-the-seeming-threat-the/)

[Chögyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/)

> [Our nation has both an obligation and self-interest in facing head-on the serious environmental, economic and national security threat posed by global warming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/our-nation-has-both-an-obligation-and-self-interest-in-facing-head-on/)

[John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/)

> [The White House was signaling that the threat posed by Saddam Hussein was of such urgency that it had priority over the crushing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-graham/the-white-house-was-signaling-that-the-threat-posed-by-saddam-hussein/)

[Bob Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-graham/)

> [But the threat posed by the radical Islamists represents an unusual conflict, unlike any experienced by our nation before: we face an enemy that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-weyrich/but-the-threat-posed-by-the-radical-islamists-represents-an-unusual/)

[Paul Weyrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-weyrich/)

> [“It’s not really possible to understand the threat posed not only to the survival of America, but to all free nations in the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/it-s-not-really-possible-to-understand-the-threat-posed-not-only-to-2/)

[John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/)

> [It is true that authoritarian governments increasingly see the internet as a threat in part because they see the US government behind the internet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeny-morozov/it-is-true-that-authoritarian-governments-increasingly-see-the-2/)

[Evgeny Morozov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeny-morozov/)

> [He is a man, and he is afraid. This is not a good combination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-hannah/he-is-a-man-and-he-is-afraid-this-is-not-a-good-combination/)

[Kristin Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-hannah/)

> [A man who is not afraid of the sea will soon be drowned, he said, for he will be going out on a day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-man-who-is-not-afraid-of-the-sea-will-soon-be-drowned-he-said-for/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Every man is afraid of women as far as I can see,” said Julian, displaying an understanding of the universe far beyond his years.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyne/every-man-is-afraid-of-women-as-far-as-i-can-see-said-julian/)

[John Boyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyne/)

> [A country where a man is afraid to criticise another one is no socialist country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enver-hoxha/a-country-where-a-man-is-afraid-to-criticise-another-one-is-no/)

[Enver Hoxha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enver-hoxha/)

> [A hero is a man who is afraid to run away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-hero-is-a-man-who-is-afraid-to-run-away/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/a-man-is-always-afraid-of-a-woman-that-loves-him-too-much/)

[John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/)

## More by Veronica Roth

> [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“I was beginning to feel that I had finally found a place to stay, a place that was not so unstable or corrupt or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-was-beginning-to-feel-that-i-had-finally-found-a-place-to-stay-a/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“He acts so tough that he’s probably afraid of marshmallows and really bright sunrises or something. Overcompensating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/he-acts-so-tough-that-he-s-probably-afraid-of-marshmallows-and-really/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [You always look like someone's sucked the life right out of you when something fascinates you. -Tris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-always-look-like-someone-s-sucked-the-life-right-out-of-you-when/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“We can be mended. We mend each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-can-be-mended-we-mend-each-other/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [Don’t worry about me handling the pain," I say. "I’ve had a lot of practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/don-t-worry-about-me-handling-the-pain-i-say-i-ve-had-a-lot-of/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [Soon I will honor my parents by dying as they died. and if all they believed about death was true, soon I will join…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/soon-i-will-honor-my-parents-by-dying-as-they-died-and-if-all-they/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“Mas lembre-se, já agora, que por vezes as pessoas que oprimimos tornam-se mais poderosas do que nós gostaríamos.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/mas-lembre-se-j-agora-que-por-vezes-as-pessoas-que-oprimimos-tornam/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“am aware of how little space there is between us—six inches at most. That space feels charged with electricity. I feel like it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/am-aware-of-how-little-space-there-is-between-us-six-inches-at-most/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“Oh, good,” I say, a sour taste in my mouth. “Heroism is what I was focused on. Not, you know, trying not to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/oh-good-i-say-a-sour-taste-in-my-mouth-heroism-is-what-i-was-focused/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [What do you think they're going to do to us when they find us guilty?" she says after a few minutes of silence have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-do-you-think-they-re-going-to-do-to-us-when-they-find-us-guilty/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“La paz está restringida, eso es libertad”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/la-paz-est-restringida-eso-es-libertad/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [In some parts of the ancient world, the hawk symbolized the sun. Back when I got this, I figured if I always had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/in-some-parts-of-the-ancient-world-the-hawk-symbolized-the-sun-back/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

[Explore all 1,589 Veronica Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

## 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

> [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

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“was no longer a child, afraid of the threat my terrifying father posed to my safety. I was a man, afraid of the threat he posed to my character, to my future, to my identity.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Veronica Roth"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-threat-my-terrifying-father-posed/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Afraid"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-threat-my-terrifying-father-posed/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/veronica-roth-66_afraid_was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-thre_1201972.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/veronica-roth-66_afraid_was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-thre_1201972.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/veronica-roth-66_afraid_was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-thre_1201972.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“was no longer a child, afraid of the threat my terrifying father posed to my safety. I was a man, afraid of…” — Veronica Roth",
                "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": "Veronica Roth",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“was no longer a child, afraid...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-threat-my-terrifying-father-posed/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/was-no-longer-a-child-afraid-of-the-threat-my-terrifying-father-posed/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
