“We fear to know the fearsome and unsavory aspects of ourselves, but we fear even more to know the godlike in ourselves.”
- April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970
- American
- Psychologist, Creator of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Humanistic Psychology Pioneer
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Quote
“We fear to know the fearsome and unsavory aspects of ourselves, but we fear even more to know the godlike in ourselves.”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Maslow explores a profound psychological paradox: while people often avoid confronting their flaws, shadows, and darker impulses, they are even more reluctant to embrace their greatness, potential, and inner power. Maslow believed that within every person lies the capacity for extraordinary moral, creative, or intellectual achievement, yet this potential can be terrifying. To acknowledge the “godlike” in oneself is to accept the responsibility that comes with it, and many prefer the safety of mediocrity to the challenge of greatness.
Maslow’s insight is grounded in his studies of self-actualizing individuals, who were not only highly functional but also deeply aware of their values, abilities, and limitations. He noticed that many people sabotage their growth not because they are weak, but because they are afraid of how strong or capable they truly are. This concept, later echoed by thinkers like Marianne Williamson, reveals a common human tendency to retreat from self-realization out of fear of what it might demand or expose.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to phenomena like impostor syndrome, where capable individuals doubt their worth, or the fear of success, where people avoid opportunities that could elevate them. Whether in careers, relationships, or creative pursuits, individuals often stop short not because they are failing, but because they sense the magnitude of their potential and shrink from it. Maslow’s message is a call to courageously confront both our darkness and our brilliance.
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