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An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith · Chapter XV

Concerning Fear

Page 72 of 141

Fear is divided into six varieties: viz., shrinking1825 , shame, disgrace, consternation, panic, anxiety1826 . Shrinking1827 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. 1825

    oknos, dread.

  2. 1826

    agonia.

  3. 1827

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

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Volume 9, ed. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace (1890–1900). Public domain. Text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.