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In time we hate that which we often fear.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Fear can lead to hatred, particularly over time as one confronts what they initially feared.

This quote by William Shakespeare suggests that prolonged exposure to our fears can transform them into hatred. It highlights a psychological phenomenon where negative emotions, when left unexamined, can morph into more toxic feelings like hatred, often as a defense mechanism against vulnerability and fear.

Themes

FearHatePsychologyEmotionTransformation

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion on how confrontation can help us overcome our fears.

More from William Shakespeare

As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
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Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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