---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most drastic and usually the most…"
description: "\"The most drastic and usually the most effective remedy for fear is direct action.\" — William Burnham Woods"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/william-burnham-woods-286856_action_the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-ef_2371263.png"
---

#  The most drastic and usually the most effective remedy for…

![“The most drastic and usually the most effective remedy for fear is direct action.” quote by William Burnham Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/william-burnham-woods-286856_action_the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-ef_2371263.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/william-burnham-woods-286856_action_the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-ef_2371263.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/william-burnham-woods-286856_action_the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-ef_2371263.png)

> “The most drastic and usually the most effective remedy for fear is direct action.”

William Burnham Woods

## About This Quote

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

Confronting fear directly is often the most powerful method to diminish it, despite the approach being drastic.

**In simple terms:** Direct action reduces fear.

Key Takeaway

Act boldly against fear.

Themes

fear action courage

Mood

courageous determined

Type

Action:1 Direct:1 Direct action:1 Drastic:0 Fear:1 Remedy:1 Remedy Fear:0 Fear Direct:0 Effective Remedy:1 Drastic Usually:0

When to use this quote

- public speaking
- phobia treatment
- risk taking
- personal challenges

Key Concepts

exposure therapy behavioral activation

Questions to Reflect On

- What fear can you face today?
- How to balance boldness with safety?

A Different Perspective

Extreme actions may cause unintended harm.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Direct action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct-action/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Remedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remedy/)

## Related quotes

> [One remedy for the fear of not being loved is to remember how good it feels to love someone. If you're feeling unloved and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dossie-easton/one-remedy-for-the-fear-of-not-being-loved-is-to-remember-how-good-it/)

[Dossie Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dossie-easton/)

> [Tidy fees are the most effective remedy, both for the doctor and the patient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-fo/tidy-fees-are-the-most-effective-remedy-both-for-the-doctor-and-the/)

[Dario Fo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-fo/)

> [“I can't let fear direct my actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-j-tiernan/i-can-t-let-fear-direct-my-actions/)

B.J. Tiernan

> [We had no alternative except that of preparing for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-had-no-alternative-except-that-of-preparing-for-direct-action/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [It is our experience that the nation doesn't move around questions of genuine equality for the poor and for black people until it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/it-is-our-experience-that-the-nation-doesn-t-move-around-questions-of/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [It's astonishing how many people who direct action don't know how to tell a story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-pascal/it-s-astonishing-how-many-people-who-direct-action-don-t-know-how-to/)

[Amy Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-pascal/)

> [Strike is always a form of direct action. With the strike, too, you are not asking government to make things easier for you by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/strike-is-always-a-form-of-direct-action-with-the-strike-too-you-are/)

[Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/)

> [Direct action is the logical, consistent method of Anarchism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/direct-action-is-the-logical-consistent-method-of-anarchism/)

[Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/)

> [When the democratic deficit is so enormous, people are left with very little option but to take peaceful, non-violent direct action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-lucas/when-the-democratic-deficit-is-so-enormous-people-are-left-with-very/)

[Caroline Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-lucas/)

> [The great social justice changes in our country have happened when people came together, organized, and took direct action. It is this right that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolores-huerta/the-great-social-justice-changes-in-our-country-have-happened-when/)

[Dolores Huerta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolores-huerta/)

> [I have examined the death penalty under each of its two aspects: as a direct action, and as an indirect one. What does it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/i-have-examined-the-death-penalty-under-each-of-its-two-aspects-as-a/)

[Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/)

> [The Virgin filled so enormous a space in the life and thought of the time that one stands now helpless before the mass of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/the-virgin-filled-so-enormous-a-space-in-the-life-and-thought-of-the/)

[Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/)

> [“We who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface hidden tension that is already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-who-engage-in-nonviolent-direct-action-are-not-the-creators-of/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/actually-we-who-engage-in-nonviolent-direct-action-are-not-the/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [Change from below, the formulation of demands from the populace to end unacceptable injustice, supported by direct action, has played a far larger part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/change-from-below-the-formulation-of-demands-from-the-populace-to-end/)

[Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [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/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

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

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [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/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The most drastic and usually the most effective remedy for fear is direct action.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "William Burnham Woods"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-burnham-woods/the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-effective-remedy-for-fear-is/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-burnham-woods/the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-effective-remedy-for-fear-is/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/william-burnham-woods-286856_action_the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-ef_2371263.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/william-burnham-woods-286856_action_the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-ef_2371263.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/william-burnham-woods-286856_action_the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-ef_2371263.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The most drastic and usually the most effective remedy for fear is direct action.” — William Burnham Woods",
                "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": "William Burnham Woods",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-burnham-woods/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The most drastic and usually the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-burnham-woods/the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-effective-remedy-for-fear-is/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-burnham-woods/the-most-drastic-and-usually-the-most-effective-remedy-for-fear-is/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
