The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.
Saul AlinskyRead
The greatest enemy of individual freedom is the individual himself.
Interpretation
Individuals often hinder their own freedom through their choices and self-imposed limitations.
This quote by Saul Alinsky suggests that the biggest obstacle to one's own freedom is not external forces but rather the individual's own actions, thoughts, and beliefs. It highlights the notion that people can be their own worst enemies, shackling themselves with fears, doubts, and societal expectations that prevent them from fully realizing their potential and embracing true freedom.
In practice
In a motivational speech about self-improvement, one could reference this quote to emphasize personal responsibility.
The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.
Lest we forget at least an over the shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins - or which is which), the very first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom - Lucifer.
The second rule is: Never go outside the experience of your people. When an action is outside the experience of the people, the result is confusion, fear, and retreat.
The first step in community organization is community disorganization. The disruption of the present organization is the first step toward community organization. Present arrangements must be disorganized if they are to be displace by new patterns.... All change means disorganization of the old and organization of the new.
The threat is generally more terrifying than the thing itself.
Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.
Death and resurrection are what the story is about and had we but eyes to see it, this has been hinted on every page, met us, in some disguise, at every turn, and even been muttered in conversations between such minor characters (if they are minor characters) as the vegetables.
The doors of Hell, insofar as they have locks, have locks on the inside.
One does what one is; one becomes what one does.
Sometimes when I think of life, I feel like a piece of driftwood washed up on shore.
The Church says the Earth is flat. But I know that it is round. For I have seen the shadow on the Moon. And I have more faith in a shadow than in the Church.
Let us be very careful that we never exalt any minister, or sermon, or book, or friend above the Word of God.
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