Emotion
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5.Fear
5a.Fear as apprehension of pain or death and its proper use
See also: Courage 1a
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 65–66Penelope's grief and fear, compared to a lion brooding in fear, until sleep overcomes her.read · scan
- p. 75–76Despair and fear as the storm breaks over him.read · scan
- p. 116–117The crew is stricken at heart, grieving lost comrades and afraid of death in the tempest.read · scan
- p. 160–161Odysseus is gripped by pale fear as the dead throng.read · scan
- p. 167Pale fear grips the crew, and Odysseus calls the sight of his men seized by Scylla the most pitiful he has seen.read · scan
- p. 253–254The women flee in fear at Odysseus's threat; Odysseus hides his purpose behind his gaze.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 48–50The Chorus feels frozen fear and dread as Cassandra's visions of bloodshed unfold.read · scan
Aeschylus, The FuriesVol. 8
- p. 122–123Priestess is unstrung by fear at seeing the bloodied suppliant and the horrible sleeping Furies.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 208Fear, horror, trembling and longing to fly away like a dove express anguish at persecution.read · scan
Sophocles, Oedipus the KingVol. 8
- p. 228Oedipus trembles with dread on hearing where Laius died.read · scan
- p. 228Oedipus is overcome by despairing fear that the seer has seen truly.read · scan
- p. 235–236Oedipus is panic-struck, vexing his soul with woes, in Jocasta's view.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 100Sinon's grief for his kinsman and the fear of the people.read · scan
- p. 117Fear for his charge and raving despair at losing his wife drive Aeneas back into the burning city.read · scan
- p. 117Aeneas searches with mad grief and is struck dumb with fear at the pale specter.read · scan
- p. 145Achaemenides begs with tears and sighs for pity, terrified of the Cyclops and resigned to death.read · scan
- p. 145Fear seizes the Trojans and the wretched Achaemenides; the blinded Cyclops groans in pain and rage.read · scan
- p. 152Sudden fear and anxious perplexity seize him.read · scan
- p. 412Turnus is overcome with despair, shivering fear and sorrow he represses.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 353Zacharias is troubled and fearful at the vision.read · scan
- p. 375The people of the country are gripped by great fear and ask Jesus to depart.read · scan
- p. 408–409Men fainting for fear at the coming events.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 284Fear grips the company while he soothes it by seeming unconcerned.read · scan
- p. 305Fear before the public is the most rigid critic.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 985–986Fear seizes hearts, eyes roll like one fainting with death.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 27The fisherman is paralyzed with fear at the giant 'Efrit.read · scan
- p. 35The prince trembles with fear on hearing the ghuls plan to eat him.read · scan
- p. 76The tailor anxiously awaits his lodger's return; the prince pales with fear.read · scan
- p. 139Narrator's terror in the chest, certain of death, physically shaken by fear as the Khalifeh orders the chests opened.read · scan
- p. 197The Wezir rends his clothes and plucks his beard in anguish and fear.read · scan
- p. 236He trembles with fear at the mare's cry.read · scan
- p. 244–245He repents of his voyage, fearing for his life and forgetting hunger in fear.read · scan
- p. 245–247He goes forth giddy from sleeplessness, hunger and fear.read · scan
- p. 248The merchant is frightened at Sindbad's appearance, then laments his disappointment; Sindbad reassures him.read · scan
- p. 250–251Sailors' terror at the swarming apes and the giant ogre; fear makes them as dead men.read · scan
- p. 251Horror of the ogre's choosing and roasting the fat ship's master.read · scan
- p. 253–254Violent fear of the blinded ogre and his monstrous mate.read · scan
- p. 255Terror and grief as the serpent devours companions one by one; joy at escape incomplete.read · scan
- p. 261Sindbad's violent fear and grief for his stupefied companions and himself.read · scan
- p. 261–263Fear, hunger and anguish drive the narrator's flight.read · scan
- p. 263Fearful heart after his sufferings; the pepper gatherers wonder at his escape.read · scan
- p. 286Terror and distress grip him in the narrowing dark channel beneath the mountain until sleep overcomes him.read · scan
- p. 331–332The King is overcome by fear that she will accept her brother's proposal and leave.read · scan
- p. 333The guests' anger, with fire from their mouths, throws the King into fear until Jullanar soothes them.read · scan
- p. 359The mother trembles and faints in terror at the apparition, unaccustomed to such sights.read · scan
- p. 359–361The mother's fear of the Jinni makes her never want to see the Lamp again.read · scan
- p. 376–377The princess and bridegroom are stricken with fear and trembling at the night's strange events.read · scan
- p. 377–378The princess is silenced by fear and trembling after her night.read · scan
- p. 420–421Terror seizes Ala-ed-Din at the Marid's fearful shout.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 5Dread and fear renewed in remembering the gloomy forest; relief like a swimmer escaped from the sea.read · scan
- p. 6Terror and lost hope before the panther, lion and she-wolf; joy chased by new dread.read · scan
- p. 9Fear overcasts a man; Dante wavers and changes his purpose.read · scan
- p. 9Beatrice says only things that can cause evil are to be feared; her grief for Dante's peril.read · scan
- p. 9–12Fear yields to renewed zeal and courage after Beatrice's tears and words.read · scan
- p. 13Dante's fear at the quaking earth and flame, and he falls senseless.read · scan
- p. 32Dante fears he will never return, torn between will and will not.read · scan
- p. 36Fear pales Dante's cheeks; he clings to Virgil at the Furies.read · scan
- p. 69Fear and shame govern Dante as he mounts the monster; shame emboldens the servant before his lord.read · scan
- p. 69Dante's dread on Geryon's flight, compared to Phaeton's and Icarus's terror, as he hears wailing and sees flames below.read · scan
- p. 85–87Dante is seized by terror lest the demons break their compact.read · scan
- p. 87–88Dante fears the gnarling demons; Virgil tells him their spite is only against the tormented souls.read · scan
- p. 128Dante's fear grows as he nears the giants.read · scan
- p. 128–130Dante's terror of Ephialtes' quaking and of being lifted by Antaeus.read · scan
- p. 140Dante's fear leaves him neither dead nor living, beyond words.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 179Dante wakes turning pale, like one ice-struck with dread; Virgil bids him not fear.read · scan
Christopher Columbus, The Letter of Columbus to Luis de Sant Angel Announcing His DiscoveryVol. 43
- p. 22–23The natives' fear gives way to confidence and loving generosity.read · scan
Amerigo Vespucci, Amerigo Vespucci's Account of His First VoyageVol. 43
- p. 28Natives leap into the sea in terror at the cannon fire, like frogs; the sailors regret frightening them.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 10Grandfather nearly dies of fear for the child while the child clings joyfully.read · scan
- p. 87–88A officious letter puts Cellini in a fright, so that he hastily leaves Florence.read · scan
- p. 154–155Tribolo's quaking fright at learning of the prank.read · scan
- p. 277Fear of prison overcomes him, driving him back to court; he is nearly ready to deny God and the world.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 178–179The gentlewomen's fear is calmed when Drake himself comes and confirms their safety.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 63The monk is pale with fear and flees, showing the terror of Quixote's assault.read · scan
- p. 253–254The woman flees in fear and confusion and stands stunned when discovered.read · scan
- p. 351Leonela's terror and Camilla's fear move each to act; Lothario is confounded.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 95Horatio is harrowed with fear and wonder and trembles and pales at the apparition.read · scan
- p. 103–104Grief and fear: the watchers are distilled to jelly with fear; Hamlet's heart breaks while he holds his tongue.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 349–350Macbeth's fear of Banquo, whose dauntless temper and wisdom guiding valour make him dangerous.read · scan
- p. 366–367Macbeth's fear drives him to kill Macduff so he may sleep in spite of thunder.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 677Her anxiety and fear over the marriage show in her confused questions about whether Philaster fears.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 80–81Pauline's fear and agony at her husband's departure.read · scan
- p. 90–93Pauline is full of dread and fear.read · scan
- p. 105–109Polyeucte dreads his wife's tears more than torture.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638Vol. 4
- p. 62–66Comus feels fear and a cold shudder at her words, then dissembles.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 278–281Adam's horror and amazement on hearing of Eve's trespass.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 395He shuns pain and death by instinct without deeming them real evils.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 23–24Christian sweats and quakes with fear beneath the overhanging hill and flashing fire.read · scan
- p. 49–50Fear follows fear: one fright gone, another seizes the Christian.read · scan
- p. 59–60Christian is afraid at Apollyon's approach and weighs going back against standing.read · scan
- p. 66–67Christian is confounded and distressed by the terrors.read · scan
- p. 181Grief and tears, and trembling and sweat from a fearful dream.read · scan
- p. 184–185Fear (Timorous) versus Christiana's weeping resolve.read · scan
- p. 191–192Fear of the dog and of offending the Keeper leaves them in distress and hesitation.read · scan
- p. 192–193Mercy trembles, weeps and faints with fear of rejection; impatience of a hungering soul.read · scan
- p. 194–195The women and children fear the cruel dog at the Gate, and Mercy knocks in desperate earnestness.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 27–28Aeneas's fear and tears in the storm defended as compassion for his people, not cowardice.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 46She explains Actium flight as fear and wishes she had been a man.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 95Fear is a passion which, rightly governed, warns us against evil; it is uneasiness at apprehended harm.read · scan
- p. 96–97Some fear is proper to keep us alert without disturbing reason.read · scan
- p. 98–99Fear arises only from apprehended pain or loss of pleasure, not from shapes or colours themselves.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and BeautifulVol. 24
- p. 49Fear, apprehension of pain or death, robs the mind of its powers and is the ruling principle of the sublime.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 442–443Tell's horror and anguish; Bertha pleads that the people tremble at Gessler's cruelty.read · scan
- p. 444–445Tell shakes, torn by contending emotions, begs to be struck down instead, then collects himself.read · scan
- p. 456–457Hedwig's grief, fear and anger break out as she relives what might have happened.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 9Don Abbondio's unease at the unexpected, unwelcome sight ahead.read · scan
- p. 13–14Don Abbondio's fear and anxious calculation as he realizes the bravoes are waiting for him.read · scan
- p. 14–15Don Abbondio's terror at hearing Don Rodrigo's name.read · scan
- p. 20Don Abbondio's fear and anxious agitation after the bravoes' threat, and anger turned on Don Rodrigo.read · scan
- p. 26–27Waking after misfortune brings a bitter contrast between remembered tranquillity and the new trouble; Don Abbondio waits in fear.read · scan
- p. 31–32Fear drains the curate while Renzo's angry resolve drives him to threaten violence to extract the tyrant's name.read · scan
- p. 38–39Lucia weeps and fears the roads after Don Rodrigo's wager-laden pursuit.read · scan
- p. 109Renzo's suspicion and unease, and Lucia's sigh, show tension before the undertaking.read · scan
- p. 111Renzo, anxious and preoccupied, cannot enjoy the supper.read · scan
- p. 116–117Perpetua's vanity and indignation are provoked; Lucia's heart beats in fear as they slip in.read · scan
- p. 210The superintendent's terror as the mob besieges his house: despair, hiding, expecting death.read · scan
- p. 259His overstrained imagination and violently beating heart show fear and anxiety of a fugitive.read · scan
- p. 271–272Renzo's meal turns to poison; fear of suspicion nails him to his seat.read · scan
- p. 326–327Lucia's terror and anguish are depicted in detail until she faints.read · scan
- p. 327–328Lucia's tears, sobs and terror as she pleads with her abductors.read · scan
- p. 333–334Lucia's terror, brief comfort at a woman's voice, and relapse into fear as she is seized and carried off.read · scan
- p. 380Lucia's agitation, fear and bewilderment at waking in captivity and at each unexpected change; the old woman's anxious pettishness.read · scan
- p. 388Lucia's sudden consternation on remembering the vow.read · scan
- p. 473Don Abbondio's terror, pleading and helplessness contrasted with Perpetua's brisk practicality in hiding goods.read · scan
- p. 473–474Don Abbondio's self-pity and complaints of hard hearts amid general fear.read · scan
- p. 476–477Fear for his life gives way to anxiety for goods; quarrels between Perpetua and Abbondio.read · scan
- p. 487–488Don Abbondio's fear and gloom at the crowd of refugees and threatening soldiers, contrasted with the women's relief.read · scan
- p. 488–489Don Abbondio's terror at armed men, his wish to hide on the peaks, and his anxious muttering.read · scan
- p. 493Don Abbondio is kept in constant alarm by his fears; some refugees refuse to lament while others dwell on misfortune.read · scan
- p. 498–499Don Abbondio suppresses lamentation and lives in continual apprehension of soldiers arriving at his barred door.read · scan
- p. 562–563Renzo's horror and dread that his beloved may be among the corpses.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 50–51Fear and a beating heart follow her deed.read · scan
- p. 55Terror of the kids hiding and the mother's weeping griefread · scan
- p. 144–145She weeps and fears her husband's reaction after the pots are broken.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 288Beatrice's blood runs cold in fear, and Lucretia faints as the news is revealed.read · scan
- p. 331Lucretia's agitation and terror contrast with Beatrice's calm.read · scan
- p. 334Lucretia's terror and fainting contrast with Beatrice's composure.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CompensationVol. 5
- p. 95Fear is an instructor of great sagacity that shows where wrong lies in society.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 225The duckling's terror during the hunt and its thankfulness that its ugliness spared it from the dog.read · scan
- p. 242–243The sea-maid has no tears and so suffers more acutely; sailors feel fear and anguish in the storm.read · scan
- p. 272–273Eliza's heart trembles with fear as the sun sets and no rock is seen.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Origin of SpeciesVol. 11
- p. 254–255Fear of particular enemies is instinctive in nestlings; fear of man is slowly acquired by island animals.read · scan
- p. 257–258Chickens' instinctive fear of dog and cat is lost by habit while fear at the hen's danger-call remains.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 139–140Fear of the jaguar destroyed all pleasure in scrambling through the woods.read · scan
- p. 308–309Terror and helplessness in the ruins; people cried 'Misericordia' while thieves plundered.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 152–153Uneasiness when the rattle stops, relief when it resumes; fear and the wish to avoid seeming afraid.read · scan
William Morris, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1192–1193She faints in fear and dizziness when the mob interrupts, then listens with hope for rescue.read · scan
5b.Fear worse than the danger; imagined fears
See also: Memory and Imagination 5c
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 17The countrymen fear something horrible.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 41–43Chorus is haunted by unbidden fear and boding vision of pain despite the safe return.read · scan
- p. 44–45Chorus's heart is filled with foreboding fear and doubt, unable to hope.read · scan
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 76–77Fear and trembling at the night vision.read · scan
Sophocles, Oedipus the KingVol. 8
- p. 209–215Fear and dread of the chorus in suspense over the oracle's meaning.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 343–344Hippolytus' bewilderment and dismay at the silence and the sight of Phaedra's body.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 315–316Caesar is alarmed at seeing Calpurnia's unaccustomed fear and is himself touched by suspicion.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 135Fear misdirects us, confounding what is dangerous with what is harmless.read · scan
- p. 170Serenity is undone by trembling at omens, noises and fevers.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 210Pliny's anxiety for his friend disrupts his reading and writing.read · scan
- p. 278–280Fear conjures up dreaded things; suspense over loved ones' welfare; letters soothe anxiety only briefly.read · scan
- p. 325–326Fear of danger is worse than feeling it, since apprehensions have no bounds while actual suffering does; grief finds pleasure in weeping on a friend's bosom.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 278–279Suspicious fear is needless since one can inquire what ought to be done.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 102If fear of a nonexistent evil is idle, that fear is itself evil, racking the soul.read · scan
The Destruction of Dá Derga's HostelVol. 49
- p. 207–208Conaire and his men are seized by terror and evil forebodings.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 289–290His joints tremble at mention of travel because of remembered horrors.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 93Dante's terror of the pursuing demons makes his hair stand on end; imagination makes him feel their talons.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 179–181Dante's terror turns to comfort when doubt is replaced by certainty.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 34Fear from the dream makes him groan; Pertelote is alarmed.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 293–294Vain fear of future events brings only sorrow upon sorrow; sufficient to the day is the evil.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 161Cellini suspects a murderous trap and prepares for defence in the night alarm.read · scan
- p. 161–162Cellini is too agitated to sleep; the company asks whether he or Cencio was afraid.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, That to Philosophise Is to Learne How to DieVol. 32
- p. 19Fear of sickness and death is greater imagined at a distance than felt when near.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 138Quixote claims fear distorts perception.read · scan
- p. 153Sancho weeps and pleads from fear; 'fear hath eyes which can see things under the ground.'read · scan
- p. 193Fear assaults Sancho with a thousand visions if he parts from Quixote.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 98Misfortune works through the phantasy that forges miseries in the brain.read · scan
Edmund Spenser, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 242Prays that fears, dreads, and sad affrights be kept from the lovers' joy.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 38–39Fear is greater than feeling in the most dangerous discontentments; oppressions dull courage but fears do not.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 327Macbeth's fear at his murderous thought makes his hair stand up and heart knock.read · scan
- p. 339–340Horror and dread of the coming deed weigh on Macbeth.read · scan
- p. 357Learning Fleance escaped, Macbeth's confidence collapses into caging doubts and fears.read · scan
- p. 358Macbeth, seeing Banquo's ghost, is seized by fear while Lady Macbeth mocks it as the painting of his fear.read · scan
- p. 358–360Terror at the ghost breaks up the feast; Lady Macbeth covers his disorder as a custom of his illness.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 779–780Delio tells Antonio his fear is only a shadow, and we superstitiously let omens daunt us.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638Vol. 4
- p. 51–53The brothers' fear for their sister; the elder warns against anticipating evils and self-delusion.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 304Adam's fierce passion and terror in the gloomy night.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 47We are troubled by fears we give ourselves, adding passions of the state we are not in.read · scan
- p. 55Man deliberately excites his own anger and fear over trifles, like children frightened by their blackened faces.read · scan
- p. 78Fear and astonishment at being placed here rather than there.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 383–384Fear, trouble and confusion arise in the soul as it perceives the vanity of its attachments.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 244–246Fear grips the boys and women in the dark valley; James is sick from fear.read · scan
- p. 255–256Fearing's dread of acceptance, and terror of hobgoblins, contrasts with cheer at the Cross and gladness in the Valley of Humiliation.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 171Darkness, horror and amazement seize him in sickness.read · scan
Edmund Burke, On Taste: Introductory DiscourseVol. 24
- p. 15–16Imagination is the region of our fears, hopes and connected passions.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and BeautifulVol. 24
- p. 50Obscurity heightens terror; knowing a danger's extent and growing accustomed to it dispels apprehension, as night adds to dread.read · scan
- p. 52–53Ignorance causes admiration and excites passions; familiarity makes even striking causes affect little.read · scan
- p. 70–71Uncertainty and night increase terror; low, tremulous, intermitting sounds and flickering light alarm more than total darkness or silence.read · scan
- p. 114–115Darkness is universally terrible because in it we cannot know our danger or defend ourselves.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 33–34Care builds her nest in the heart, brooding over imagined evils and scaring joy and rest.read · scan
- p. 118–119Margaret feels uneasy shuddering and longs for her mother's return.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 276–277Jetter's fear and dread from seeing executions torment his dreams.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 340Doctor recounts the misery, terror and confusion of fleeing refugees, and how danger robs men of reflection.read · scan
- p. 340–342Landlord says fear and anxiety steal into mortal hearts and are worse than actual evil; he avoids sorrowful pictures.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 431–432Hedwig's causeless unease and fear for her husband.read · scan
- p. 457–458Hedwig's anxious grief imagines Tell pining and sickening in prison.read · scan
Friedrich von Schiller, Letters upon the Aesthetic Education of ManVol. 32
- p. 275–276Dismay, terror and anxiety drive the unreflective man's relation to the world.read · scan
- p. 277–278Cares and fear are first fruits of reason mistaking its object.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 645–647Dread, apprehension and unrelieved sorrow for the missing son.read · scan
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 731–732Agony and fear in the storm's sounds, then wishes of joy and rest for the friend.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 25Fear gives him a sleepless night and nightmares of bravoes and flight.read · scan
- p. 102Suspicious beggars and strangers spying on the cottage leave Agnese and Lucia with undefined disquietude that cools Lucia's courage.read · scan
- p. 128–129Fugitives' fear, grief and dread of unknown danger, heightened by the ominous tolling bell, after their failed flight.read · scan
- p. 153Gertrude is tormented by dread, shame and memory of the letter as she awaits an undefined punishment.read · scan
- p. 272–273Renzo's fear and alarm at pursuit, imagining bailiffs and tokens of recognition, make him dread every traveller.read · scan
- p. 274–275Fear of pursuit gives way to the discomforts of darkness, solitude and fatigue; howling dogs and suspicion make him dread asking shelter.read · scan
- p. 276Night terror in the wood, imagination peopling shapes with horror; he masters his terror, and the sound of the Adda restores his hope.read · scan
- p. 340–341Lucia refuses food and comfort, fearful and suspicious of the locked door, trusting only that the Lord knows she is there.read · scan
- p. 368–369Don Abbondio's astonishment and disgust; Federigo's care that even liberation may frighten Lucia.read · scan
- p. 559Fear of contagion makes the citizen suspicious and hostile to Renzo, who wishes to avoid quarrel.read · scan
- p. 559–560Terror drives the citizen; Renzo reacts with anger more than fear.read · scan
- p. 565–567Ignorance breeds false terrors, fear of poisoned powders and anointed walls, alongside the misery of the sick.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 110–111Red-Cap feels uneasy and strange on entering the cottage.read · scan
- p. 115Robbers' fear makes them mistake the animals for ghost, witch and judge.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CharacterVol. 5
- p. 187Fear finds terrors in whatever form; our own covetousness and malignity are ours, not society's.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1305–1306Villagers are alarmed by forebodings of evil while Benedict stays cheerful.read · scan
- p. 1320–1321Feelings of wonder, sadness and forebodings of ill come over the travelers.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 112A man is too fearful to accompany him, mistaking an ostrich for an Indian, and another's father fears to let him go.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1032–1033A dark mind and evil cheer make him fearful; being dear to another would make him more dear to himself.read · scan
- p. 1045–1047Speaker haunted by a phantom of Maud, nameless fear, and a sense of loss.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 285A scream in the still night produces fear and alarm until traced to a sailor's nightmare.read · scan
Hermann von Helmholtz, Ice and GlaciersVol. 30
- p. 219–220Observes that a visible danger frightens us more than a hidden one, so accidents are rarer at the visible chasms.read · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 326Army filled with fears, forebodings and apprehension before the battle.read · scan
- p. 361–362Dread at waking to battle is eased by the morning's serene splendor.read · scan
Sidney Lanier, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1390–1391Old fear and pain of the plain give way to ease of heart, belief overmastering doubt.read · scan
5c.The fear of death
See also: Life and Death 4a
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 37Freedom from sorrow and fear comes from a clear conscience.read · scan
Plato, PhaedoVol. 2
- p. 68–69Fear of death is likened to a child within us needing persuasion.read · scan
- p. 77Men's own fear of death makes them wrongly say swans sing a lament; Socrates shows no fear or trouble.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 16Grief, terror and anxiety overwhelm the merchant and his household as he awaits death.read · scan
- p. 88The captain and crew weep and bewail their coming destruction.read · scan
- p. 109–110Fear, grief and weeping as she faces death.read · scan
- p. 146–148Narrator's grief and fear of death make him sick; he weeps and trembles when accused again.read · scan
- p. 250The master slaps his face, plucks his beard and rends his clothes in dismay at the storm.read · scan
- p. 266Grief and terror stupefy him.read · scan
- p. 283–284Fear, sorrow and hunger overwhelm the survivors; he weeps for himself.read · scan
Martin Luther, The Ninety-Five ThesesVol. 36
- p. 251–252The dying person's imperfect charity brings great fear.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, That to Philosophise Is to Learne How to DieVol. 32
- p. 10–12Fear of death poisons condemned men's enjoyment; the vulgar remedy of not thinking on it is brutish.read · scan
- p. 12Fear makes men cross themselves at death's name and avoid writing wills until the physician gives them up.read · scan
- p. 13–15Those who ignore death are overwhelmed by torment, outcry and despair when it suddenly strikes family or friends.read · scan
- p. 16–17Sudden thoughts of death cause first startings, but familiarity prevents continual fear and agony.read · scan
- p. 19–21Fear destroys the soul's tranquility; a settled mind is unshaken by tyrants or storms.read · scan
- p. 26–28Fear is heightened by weeping women, physicians and gloom around the dying, like masks that frighten children.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 8–9No passion is so weak that it does not master the fear of death: revenge, love, honor, grief, fear, pity.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 43–47Gaveston mourns his betrayal and imminent death.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 376Anxiety for the future gnaws at man like Prometheus's liver, fear of death and poverty.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 73Rage and despair over trifles versus no emotion at losing all by death.read · scan
- p. 277Christ's agony and fear before death, then calm strength.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 336Fear of death corrected by the light of faith.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 256–257Fearing's fear of drowning at the river and his burdensome low spirits contrast with the calm valley and shallow water.read · scan
- p. 316–318The river's terror gives way to ease; thoughts of the beyond lie like a glowing coal at his heart.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 133Fear of death and hope make cowards of us and sicken resolution.read · scan
William Cullen Bryant, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1213–1214Dread of the last hour makes one shudder and grow sick at heart until nature soothes it.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 263–264One maiden's fear of death drives her wish to go to Norway.read · scan
William Edmondstoune Aytoun, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 917–918Gloom, pleading and the pathos of parting conveyed in the dead's prayers for delay.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 371–372Incidents at sea such as sudden death and danger made serious impressions that were lost for want of guidance.read · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 333–335Veteran soldiers feel no peculiar excitement on the eve of battle, having weighed chances long ago; the army sleeps soundly.read · scan
5d.Fear, childhood and education
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 378Dante, astounded, turns like a frightened child to Beatrice, who soothes him like a mother.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 36–37Fear leads children to dissemble, and later to break out with greater violence or become low-spirited.read · scan
- p. 97–98Early terrors shatter the spirits and leave lifelong timorousness, disturbing rational action.read · scan
- p. 116Fear instilled in childhood makes children dastards, afraid of shadows and darkness all their lives.read · scan
- p. 116–118Fear from early terror endures; children naturally unafraid of the dark unless taught otherwise.read · scan
- p. 164Fear of spectres burdens children's minds with frights and superstition.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 342Parents' examples awaken children's passions; guard against them.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and BeautifulVol. 24
- p. 103–104Occasions of passions are given in infancy; some things naturally affect us, others by association.read · scan
- p. 115Boy's uneasiness and horror at black objects arose without prior associations.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 310–311The young storks are afraid at the mocking song, and the mother calms them.read · scan
5e.Fear in political and religious life
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 28Fear is as dangerous an enemy as resentment; recent benefits do not erase old wrongs.read · scan
- p. 55Love and fear contrasted as bonds; fear is held by dread of punishment, love breaks under self-interest.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 369–370Ross says fear makes traitors of us, and the times are cruel with unknown fears.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 375Fear of unknown power over good and harm drives men to imagine and dread invisible powers.read · scan
- p. 377Perpetual fear in ignorance of causes needs an object and invents invisible powers.read · scan
- p. 390–391Passions such as fear of death incline men to peace.read · scan
- p. 393Covenants bind not by nature but by fear of evil consequences of breaking them.read · scan
- p. 397Words cannot bridle ambition, avarice, anger and other passions without fear of coercive power.read · scan
- p. 400Fear, of invisible spirits or of men, is the passion to rely on to hold men to promises; pride in honesty is rare.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 81–84Felix cowers in fear of Severus's revenge and the power behind it.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 350–351Fear secures a prince no better than love.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and BeautifulVol. 24
- p. 56Power, natural or institutional, is bound up with terror and awe; subservient strength breeds contempt, and love approaches contempt.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 263–264The Regent admits fear of Orange and for Egmont, and feels wounded by him.read · scan
- p. 297–298Fear and gloom grip the townsfolk; Jetter would fall dead at a soldier's cry.read · scan
- p. 304–305Ferdinand describes Fear held tightly yoked in the quiet town, like a plain before a storm.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CompensationVol. 5
- p. 94Fear and hate arise from departures from simplicity in relations with one's neighbor.read · scan
5f.Terror and the sublime
See also: The Sublime 2a · Beauty 3c
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 355Servants weep and are struck by terror and wonder at the awful voice from the sea.read · scan
The Bhagavad-Gita; or, Song CelestialVol. 45
- p. 837–839Arjuna quakes, his strength of soul fled, in awe and terror at the vision.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 128Horror at the bleeding plant leaves Aeneas mute, his hair standing on end.read · scan
- p. 128Fear and horror seize Aeneas at the groaning, bleeding tree.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 228–229Dante is seized with an icy chill, thoughtfulness and dread as the mountain trembles.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and BeautifulVol. 24
- p. 35Terror is the source of the sublime, the strongest emotion the mind can feel.read · scan
- p. 49Astonishment, with some horror, is the effect of the sublime in its highest degree; admiration, reverence and respect are lesser effects.read · scan
- p. 54Fear and trembling before the obscure vision heighten the sublime effect.read · scan
- p. 55Vast power suggests terror, and terror is the source of the sublime.read · scan
- p. 56Sublimity accompanies terror, while contempt attends strength that is serviceable and harmless.read · scan
- p. 56–59Terror accompanies the ideas of power in every gradation; Lucretius' delight is overcast with dread and horror.read · scan
- p. 59–60Privations such as vacuity, darkness, solitude and silence are great because terrible; Virgil feels religious horror at hell.read · scan
- p. 62Infinity produces delightful horror as sublime effect.read · scan
- p. 68Darkness is known by experience to affect the passions more than light.read · scan
- p. 69Cataracts, thunder and artillery awake awe; the shouting of crowds sweeps even steady tempers into common cry.read · scan
- p. 70Sudden beginnings or cessations of sound rouse a start of danger and terror, causing greatness; gradual transitions cause none.read · scan
- p. 73The sublime's strongest emotion is distress, tied to self-preservation.read · scan
- p. 92The sublime and the beautiful affect passions differently, one through admiration and submission, the other through flattery.read · scan
- p. 97Ugliness becomes sublime only when united with qualities exciting strong terror.read · scan
- p. 107Sublime arises from terror or passions producing nervous tension, even without idea of danger.read · scan
- p. 108Moderated pain and terror produce delightful horror, the sublime; astonishment highest, awe, reverence, respect lesser degrees; tied to self-preservation.read · scan
- p. 109Sublime is allied to the passion of terror.read · scan
- p. 124–125Awe and terror overpower beauty; sublime suffers less from union with beauty than beauty does from greatness.read · scan
- p. 127Astonishment from terror versus love from pleasure summarize the contrasting affections.read · scan
Friedrich von Schiller, Letters upon the Aesthetic Education of ManVol. 32
- p. 280Fear dwells where mass is shapeless; forming it dispels terror.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 228–229The solemn consciousness of standing in a remote corner of the world at night.read · scan
- p. 306Earthquake destroys our sense of solidity, creating insecurity and horror, especially when its effects are seen.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 297Admiration mingled with a slight element of fear produces the sense of sublimity.read · scan
- p. 336Awe, suspense and uneasy expectation silence the crew before the storm.read · scan
- p. 336Crew stand stupefied and silent, awed by the storm.read · scan
5g.Panic and comic fear
See also: Prophecy 6d
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 166–167Fear makes the oars fly from the crew's hands.read · scan
- p. 333–334Pale fear grips the Ithacans and they flee; Odysseus is glad to obey.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 17The hares live in fear and consider drowning themselves.read · scan
- p. 19–20The frog is terrified by a monster.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 336–337The women's horror and confusion, and Theseus' rising alarm.read · scan
Aristophanes, The FrogsVol. 8
- p. 439Fear seizes Dionysus and Xanthias at the apparition, Xanthias turning pale and Dionysus yellow.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 113Women shriek and matrons kiss the thresholds in terror as soldiers rush in.read · scan
- p. 248Mothers stare with fear and clasp infants at the infernal war-horn.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 173–174Terror and disturbance seize Rome; Marcius is exasperated, proud and arrogant.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 288Panic-stricken crowd driven by terror; a distracted mind finds every suggestion more prudent than its own.read · scan
- p. 288Terror, lamentation and panic in the darkness; false rumours heighten fear, and hope and fear alternate.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 282The master's violent grief and rage, tearing beard and turban, spread terror among passengers.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 151–152Song consoles Dante's weariness; the spirits are entranced, then scatter in alarm like startled pigeons.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 48The hens' and Pertelote's shrieking grief and terror compared to the laments at Troy and Carthage; general uproar of fear.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 112–114Scroope stands astonished and fearful, thinking Buccleuch a devil; Campbell's mother and bride grieve.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 52Panic overtakes the household, and Cellini feels stifled at heart with fear.read · scan
- p. 70Some bombardiers are overcome by their emotions and cannot do their duty.read · scan
- p. 128Terror seizes necromancer, boy and friends as demons seem to swarm.read · scan
- p. 128Fear grips the boy and Agnolo; laughter at the comic accident restores courage.read · scan
- p. 138The gentlemen panic in fear at the sight of blood and arms.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 17–18Paré ducks in fright at a passed ball and is laughed at by soldiers.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 183–184Fear of Drake among the Spanish was so great that it excluded counsel and bred despair.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 24The women's fear turns to laughter, and Quixote's shame turns to wrath, until the innkeeper intervenes.read · scan
- p. 144–145Sancho's terror at the approaching lights contrasts with Quixote's bristling hair and resolve.read · scan
- p. 145–147The mourners flee in fear, taking him for a devil, and Quixote is enraged by the insult.read · scan
- p. 152Dark night, rushing water and mysterious blows breed horror and fear in Sancho, but not in Don Quixote.read · scan
- p. 158Fear keeps Sancho from leaving his master's side even to relieve a natural need, with comic result.read · scan
- p. 159Don Quixote detects Sancho's fear by the smell; Sancho blames his master for the fearful place.read · scan
- p. 161Fear, shame, laughter and anger succeed one another as the noise turns out to be fulling mills; Quixote's shame turns to rage at Sancho's mockery.read · scan
- p. 184Sancho is afraid, and Quixote is discontent at being misused by those he helped.read · scan
- p. 411Fear and confusion seize the Christians at the cry; Zoraida falls amazed into the narrator's arms.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 399Fear and madness seize the shipwrecked; Ferdinand leaps crying that hell is empty.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 740Pharamond's terror as the crowd threatens tortureread · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 134–135Panic spreads from the fugitives to Dunbar's camp and whole army.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to ConquerVol. 18
- p. 261–262Mrs. Hardcastle is terrified by imagined highwaymen while Tony plays on her fear.read · scan
- p. 262–263Mrs. Hardcastle's panic makes her mistake her husband for a highwayman and beg for her son's life.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 112–114Merran quakes with fear at what holds the thread in the kiln.read · scan
- p. 114–115Granny's wrath, and the young man frightened out of his wits by the charm.read · scan
- p. 115–116Fear turns to comic panic: hair arching, shouting murder, only to find a pig.read · scan
- p. 116–117Meg's fear of meeting the devil; she flees a rat praying fervently.read · scan
- p. 117–118Leezie is frightened by devil or cow and tumbles into the pool; uncle John's wrath.read · scan
Charles Lamb, On the Tragedies of ShakspereVol. 27
- p. 312Terror felt in reading turns to mirth in the theatre, like children's fears dispelled by light.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 118Lucia trembles with fear, Don Abbondio is terrified and enraged, shouting like a wounded bull.read · scan
- p. 118–119Confusion and panic seize everyone: Lucia is stunned, Gervase cries, and the curate shrieks for help.read · scan
- p. 120–121The sexton, half asleep and terrified, rings the bell as an expedient to summon aid without exposing himself.read · scan
- p. 122Fear grips Menico and the ruffians alike; the bell strikes guilty consciences, as the proverb says, if the cap fits, put it on.read · scan
- p. 125–126Panic and confusion as Perpetua, Agnese, Menico and the lovers meet in the dark, alarmed by the bell and screams.read · scan
- p. 472Don Abbondio's panic at the army's approach, amid rumors, flight and helplessness.read · scan
- p. 513Blind, undisciplined fear produces consternation among the multitude.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 203Fear makes Schulz mistake a hornet for a drum and surrender.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 328Passengers' terror alternating with conceit as the sea is rough or smooth.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Origin of SpeciesVol. 11
- p. 266Ants shown terrified, taking heart, and agitated; a bereaved ant is 'an image of despair over its ravaged home'.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 85Darwin's fear and impatience contrasted with the guide's composure; the false alarm ends in laughter.read · scan
- p. 346–347Panic and terror of residents during an earthquake; Darwin attributes excess of fear to lack of habit in governing it.read · scan
5h.Religious fear and fear of God
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 107–108Job is terrified and faint of heart before God's presence.read · scan
- p. 130–131Elihu's heart trembles and is moved at God's voice; awe.read · scan
Sophocles, Oedipus the KingVol. 8
- p. 237Oedipus is haunted by fear of the oracle and cannot be fully consoled.read · scan
- p. 237Fear of the oracle drives Oedipus's exile and his reluctance to return home.read · scan
The Bhagavad-Gita; or, Song CelestialVol. 45
- p. 841–843Fear mingles with joy; his frightened heart longs for Krishna's gentle familiar form.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 207The Trojans tremble in holy fear and sweat as the priestess convulses.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 427Fear comes on every soul; they eat with gladness and singleness of heart.read · scan
- p. 432Great fear falls on the whole church and all who heard.read · scan
Hymns of the Christian Church: Latin HymnsVol. 45
- p. 549–552Terror and trembling before judgment; sweet joy in Jesus.read · scan
Martin Luther, The Ninety-Five ThesesVol. 36
- p. 252–253Fear and horror near despair constitute purgatory's pains, diminishing as charity grows.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 95–96True fear arises from faith and joins hope; false fear arises from doubt and joins despair.read · scan
- p. 270Fear not, provided you fear; if you fear not, then fear.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 350Pascal's distress at imagining the pious falling; fear of the Lord as happiness.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 39The dreamer trembles in agony and fear at the vision.read · scan
- p. 51–52Fear of destruction, trembling and weeping; heart aches at the dream, ravished by the vision of glory.read · scan
- p. 152–153Right fear, caused by conviction of sin, is described and contrasted with how the ignorant stifle their fears.read · scan
- p. 154–155Slavish fear, guilt and shame drive false religion; when terror fades, desire for heaven cools.read · scan
- p. 173Master Fearing's fears and cries and Feeble-mind's near death show timid spirits reaching the goal.read · scan
- p. 253Mr Fearing is dejected and trembling, stuck at the Slough and the Gate, afraid of his unworthiness.read · scan
- p. 257–258Mr Fearing's heavy-minded fears of sin, death and hell, contrasted with his fearlessness before danger; Christiana finds kinship in inward and outward trouble.read · scan
- p. 292–293Mercy trembles with fear on hearing the damned lament in the hole in the hill.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and BeautifulVol. 24
- p. 56Divine power evokes terror and trembling joy that no conviction of divine justice or mercy can wholly remove.read · scan
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