Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Stephen KingRead
It's alright to feel fear, but sometimes a very bad idea to show it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Acknowledging fear is natural, but displaying it can lead to negative consequences.
This quote by Stephen King highlights the duality of fear—it is a human emotion that everyone experiences, but letting it be visible can undermine one's strength or authority. In many situations, especially those requiring leadership or courage, it is often wiser to manage one's fear internally while maintaining a facade of confidence to navigate challenges successfully.
Themes
FearCourageStrengthLeadershipConfidence
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to encourage employees to face challenges head-on, a leader might say this quote.
More from Stephen King
All quotes →Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.
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Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
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Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
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That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
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Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
Stephen KingRead
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