What the hell does this mean?!?!

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 12:16am

From Harry Potter:

"That suggests that what you fear most of all... is fear itself. This is very wise."



I've never got this quote and it's bugging me. What does this mean?

[StageManager2]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 12:30am

FDR originally said it: "There is nothing to fear but fear itself."

Anyway, what I take it to mean is that even though things may seem bad at the moment -- almost fearful -- we should only start worrying when we become too frightened of the situation, because then we may do things out of fear rather than rationally.

Updated On: 6/5/07 at 12:30 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 12:34am

The first time I heard that was from He-Man.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 12:36am

Well, I didn't actulally hear FDR say that...

[D2]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 7:32am

I did. Not the original broadcast, obviously, but on any one of the numerous replays throughout grammar and high school American History classes.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 9:34am

FDR is my favorite Harry Potter character. I heard a rumor that in the last book he is revealed to be Voldemort's son and heir to the evil throne. But I don't see that happening. It would just be too twisted, even for Rowling.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 9:37am

I hear it reveals that Eleanor is actually his twin brother.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 9:39am

How very Flowers in the Attic.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 10:03am

"FDR originally said it: "There is nothing to fear but fear itself."

The actual FDR quote is: "So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear. . .is fear itself. . . nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

It was made in his first inaugural address, in March of 1933. When the country was at the height of the Great Depression, and the national psyche was at an all time low. Whether there's is truth in the quote is debatable, but from an inspirational point of view, I think there's little doubt that it worked.

[KelRel]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 10:18am

I think what it means is that Harry fears being afraid. When you are scared you make rash decisions, you don't think things through and can make stupid mistakes. Also, it means that Harry isn't afraid of Voldemort or of the Death Eaters.

Basically what SM2 said.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 2:03pm

I stand corrected, JustAGuy.


Thanks for the echo, kel. :)

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 2:45pm

Wasn't meaning to correct you SM2...just trying to put the quote into context.