Fear

Of all the deadly brain-destroying influences in the world, fear is one of the worst and the most universal. It destroys self-respect and prevents self-development. Almost the whole of the human race has always been afraid of one thing or another. Almost every dictator has ruled by creating fear in the minds of the people. That is the worst thing that can be said about dictatorship. One man at the top, in order to maintain his powers, degrades and debases the people over whom he rules by filling their minds with fear. Almost always, when a man begins to move forward, he has fear. All through life, he will meet obstacles. And if they create fear in his mind he will be slowed down. Fear acts on a brain as frost acts in a garden. Its growth stops. A fear-bitten brain cannot work effectively. Fear constantly interrupts the progress of thought. The brain concentrates on safety and self-preservation. Just as frost stops the circulation of sap in a plant, similarly fear stops the circulation of blood in a brain.