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Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith

St John of Damascus, NPNF II.9

Book 2, 15. Concerning Fear

Fear is divided into six varieties: viz., shrinking1, shame, disgrace, consternation, panic, anxiety2. Shrinking3 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.

Notes

  1. ὄκνος, dread.
  2. ἀγωνία.
  3. Nemesius and certain manuscripts give these species of fear in a different order, viz., dread, consternation, panic, anxiety, shame, disgrace.

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