Exposition of the Orthodox Faith – Book II (Page 14 of 28)

By: St. John of DamascusRead time: 106 mins10612 Hits

CHAPTER XV.

Concerning Fear.

Fear is divided into six varieties: viz., shrinking, shame, disgrace, consternation, panic, anxiety(9a). Shrinking(9b) is fear of some act about to take place. Shame is fear arising from the anticipation of blame: and this is the highest form of the affection. Disgrace is fear springing from some base act already done, and even for this form there is some hope of salvation. Consternation is fear originating in some huge prOduct of the imagination. Panic is fear caused by some unusual product of the imagination. Anxiety is fear of failure, that is, of misfortune: for when we fear that our efforts will not meet with success, we suffer anxiety.

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