Afraid of One’s Own Shadow 😱
Feeling a tad timorous? The phrase “afraid of one’s own shadow” epitomizes extreme timidity and excessive fear. Sir Thomas More was among the early recorders of this cliché in Richard III. Famous naturalist Henry David Thoreau also employed it to highlight the cowardice of Concord’s town selectmen.
Related Terms:
- Scaredy-cat: An informal term for someone who is easily frightened.
- Chicken-hearted: Another way of describing someone with a lack of courage.
- Wussy: Slang for a person who is not brave; often considered derogatory.
- Milksop: An old-fashioned term for someone who is spineless.
Similar Phrases:
- Jump at one’s own shadow: A variation focusing on an extreme reaction of fear.
- Nervous Nellie: Someone who is excessively anxious about every little thing.
Quotable:
“Men are so quick to fear that one might think that every shadow portended danger.” — Socrates, probably
Proverbs:
- “He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears.” — Michel De Montaigne
- “Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.” — German Proverb
Literary References:
- “Richard III” by Sir Thomas More: Where this phrase might have originated.
- “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau: Thoreau’s critical reflection on fear and courage.
Cinematic Moments:
- Weak at Heart: See the exaggerated timidity in movies like “The Cowardly Lion” in The Wizard of Oz.
Inspirational Insight:
To live in the shadow of fear is to not live at all. What danger could there be in one’s own shadow, after all?
Quizzes 📚
Farewell Thought:
Fear, more than any shadow, keeps us from embracing the fullness of life. Courage is about moving forward, even if our own shadow dares us to cower. 😊
C. U. Scared
Enjoy the adventure as we explore the fascinating realm of clichés, idioms, and expressions! 🚀
