fear and trembling
Awe and anxiety
Fear and trembling describes a state of profound anxiety, dread, or reverence, often in the face of something overwhelming or sacred.
The phrase appears in biblical texts to characterize the appropriate human response to divine presence or judgment.
It gained philosophical currency through Kierkegaard's work of the same name, exploring the terrifying weight of faith and moral choice.
She approached the interview with fear and trembling.
The expression suggests not mere nervousness but a deep, almost existential unease.
- existenceState of being real
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- absurdityWildly illogical quality
- existential crisisProfound questioning of life's meaning
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
authenticity · dread · choice · Isaac · Mount Moriah · freedom · paradox · panic · surrender · Kierkegaard · leap of faith · humility · sacrifice · divine command · blind obedience · leap · Abraham · unease
- Nordic thoughtKierkegaard, either/or, leap of faith, authenticity, angst
fear and tremblingpeace of mind
State without anxiety
serenity · tranquility · equanimity · composure · inner peace
fear, feared, fearing, fearful, fearfully, fearfulness, fearless, fearlessly, fearlessness