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A most insidious form of fear is that which masquerades as common sense or even wisdom, condemning as foolish, reckless, insignificant or futile the small, daily acts of courage which help to preserve man's self-respect and inherent human dignity.
Aung San Suu Kyi
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Fear often disguises itself as common sense, preventing us from recognizing and valuing small acts of courage.

This quote by Aung San Suu Kyi highlights the subtle yet dangerous nature of fear, which can present itself as reasonable judgment. It warns against the internal and societal pressures that deem small acts of bravery as trivial or foolish, underscoring the importance of these actions in maintaining self-respect and dignity in humanity.

Themes

FearCourageWisdomSelf-RespectDignity

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles, one might reference this quote to inspire others to act courageously despite societal pressures.

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