What does "nothing to fear but fear itself" means?

Answer 1

It means that being afraid of something is actually worse than the cause of that supposed fear.

Answer 2

Franklin D. Roosevelt was President of the US during the Great Depression. This was a motto that he used to express to Americans that fear was the enemy.
Fear was causing people to make overly cautious decisions. And that caused the business climate to worsen. He thought that optimism and a return to risk-taking were the answers to the question of how to improve the economy.

Answer 3

When afraid people tend to make choices based on that fear, not our logic. It is somewhat instictual, fight or flight. However, when in a group, fear will turn individuals into a mob, capable of catastrophic damage and change, based on said fear (instinct) not logic or reason.

So, when we react based on fear instead of reason or logic often the choices and changes made are destructive rather than constructive.

Answer 4

The speaker is saying [and it was true in the particular context he said it, not generally] that the fear the nation was facing at the time was baseless - but that our fear could still hurt us just by itself, even tho it was baseless. In the context of the stock market and banking, if everyone suddenly freaks out and withdraws all their money, then there's a big economic collapse. That's all. So in that limited context, he was right.

Answer 5

First off it was said by FDR which is important because he was talking about it was during his election campaign amoungst the depression., and what he meant was: Although the current situation may be bad, there's nothing to be afraid of. We'll be okay. The only thing we need to be afraid of is what will happen if we start being too frightened. If we let that happen, we'll do many unwise things just because we're afraid.

Answer 6

the unknown is scary to people but if u choose to live ur life based only upon things learned / known then u will really not being living ur life. U will only fear situations , places, things etc. because ur not open minded and not living life for what it is an adventure take chances take risks whats the worst that happen........

Answer 7

Fear has the undeniable quality of hindering people. There are some people who don't try new things because they are scared. They ask "what if..." too much. They don't live each day to its fullest because they are scared of consequences, getting hurt, or the unknown. One should fear fear because it doesn't allow you to live life to its fullest.

Answer 8

I know what is means but I can not find the words to express it

Answer 9

When you are afraid it makes you powerless, so if you are not afraid you can act...if you are afraid there is nothing you can do...