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About this quote

What does it mean?
Big threats often turn out to be less harmful than feared, while small pleasant distractions cause real regret.
In plain terms
Fear of big disasters is usually unfounded; small comfortable things are what actually derail you.
What can you take from it?
Don't let fear of major catastrophes distract you from managing everyday comforts.

Where it applies

  • career planning
  • relationship choices
  • risk assessment

Putting it to work

  • identify small distractions
  • question major fears

Questions to consider

  • What small comforts are you tolerating?
  • What big fear keeps you awake?

Another view

Some large threats are genuine and require immediate attention.

More from Elbert Hubbard

  1. There is no such thing as success in a bad business.

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  2. The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.

    Permalink to quote #23
  3. Respectability is the dickey on the bosom of civilization.

    Permalink to quote #20

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