Fear

Fear is an emotion induced by a perceived threat that causes animals to move quickly away from the location of the perceived threat, and sometimes hide. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger. In short, fear is the ability to recognize danger leading to an urge to confront it or flee from it (also known as the fight-or-flight response) but in extreme cases of fear (horror and terror) a freeze or paralysis response is possible. Some psychologists such as John B. Watson, Robert Plutchik, and Paul Ekman have suggested that there is only a small set of basic or innate emotions and that fear is one of them. This hypothesized set includes such emotions as joy, sadness, and anger. Fear should be distinguished from the emotion anxiety, which typically occurs without any certain or immediate external threat.

Famous quotes containing the word fear:

“Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.”
—Sun Tzu (6th–5th century B.C.)

“To have a great man for a friend seems pleasant to those who have never tried it; those who have, fear it.”
—Horace [Quintus Horatius Flaccus] (65–8 B.C.)

“Do not let me hear
Of the wisdom of old men, but rather of their folly,
Their fear of fear and frenzy, their fear of possession,
Of belonging to another, or to others, or to God.”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)