Envy, propelled by fear, can be even more toxic than anger, because it involves the thought that other people enjoy the good things of life which the envier can't hope to attain through hard work and emulation.
Martha NussbaumRead
Fear is ubiquitous in human life. It starts in infancy with our primal state of helplessness, where we can see what's going on but we can't move to get it. As we grow older we become a little more able to get what we want but then we're going to die so that gives fear another boost.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Fear is a constant part of human existence, originating from our early helplessness and persisting throughout life.
Martha Nussbaum's quote reflects on the pervasive nature of fear in human life, suggesting that it originates from our infancy when we are helpless and aware of our limitations. As we mature, while we gain more control over our desires and actions, the inevitability of death and loss reinforces the experience of fear, making it a fundamental aspect of our existence.
Themes
FearLifeHelplessnessGrowthDeath
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the psychological impacts of fear on human development.
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