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us a conceited ass and laugh at us behind our backs； but so long as we do not find it out； it doesn't matter。 There is； however； no blow quite so severe as the sudden realization that we have mistaken the opinion of others； we have been 〃fooled。〃 To be fooled is to be lowered in one's own self…esteem； and we like sincerity and hate insincerity largely because our self…esteem stands on some solid basis in the one case and on none whatever in the other。 Most of us would rather have people say bad things of us to our face than run the risk of the ridicule and the foolish feeling that comes with insincerity。 There are some who are always suspicions that people are insincere in praise or friendly words； they hate being fooled； they know of no criterion of sincerity and such people are in an adynamic state most of the time。 The difference between the trusting and the suspicious is that one responds with energy and belief to the manifestations of friendliness in everybody； and the other has no such inner response to guide his energy and his actions。 Trust in others is a releaser of energy； distrust paralyzes it。 ＇1＇ To paraphrase Doctor Holmes the biggest factor in John's self…valuation is HIS idea of Jane's idea of John。
4。 Doubt and inability to choose may be contrasted with certitude and clear choice in their effect on energy release。 Of course； one of the signs of lowered energy is doubt； as a sign of high energy is certainty。 Nevertheless； a situation of critical importance； in which choice is difficult or digagreeable； inhibits energy feeling＇1＇ and discharge perhaps as much as any other mental factor。 Especially is this true when the inhibition concerns a moral situation〃Ought I to do this or that〃and where the fear of being wrong or doing wrong operates so that the individual does nothing and develops an obsession of doubt。 This 〃to be or not to be〃 attitude is typical of many intelligent people； yes； even intellectual people。 They we so many angles to a situation； they project so far into the future in their thoughts； that a weary discouragement comes。 To such as these； the counsel of 〃action right or wrong but action anyway！〃 is good； but the difficulty is to make them overcome their doubts。 Their cerebral oscillation makes them weary but they cannot seem to stop it； their pendulum of choice never stops at action。 ＇1＇ See William James' 〃Varieties of Religious Experiences；〃 for beautiful examples。 The Russian writers are often narrators of this struggle。
If one wishes to destroy the energy of any one； the best way to do it is to sow the seeds of doubt。 〃Your ideal is a fine one； my friend； butisn't it a little sophomoric？〃 〃A nice piece of work； butwho wants it？〃 On the other hand； to one obsessed by doubt it may happen that a whole…hearted endorsement； a resolution of the doubt； brings with it first relief and then a swing of energy into the channels of action。 5。 Competition is a great factor in energy release。 Every one has seen a horse ambling along； apparently without sufficient energy to go more than four miles an hour。 Suddenly he cocks up his ears as the sounds of the hoof beats of a rapidly traveling horse are heard。 He shakes his head and to the amazement or amusement of his driver sets off in rivalry at a two…minute clip。 Intensely cooperative and gregarious as man is； he is as intensely competitive； spurred on by his observations of the other fellow。 Introduce a definite system of rivalry into a school or an office； and you release energies never manifested before。 There are some to whom this is the main releaser of energy； struggle； competition and victory over another is their stimulus。 They can play no game unless there is competition； and the solitary pleasures and satisfactions； like reading； exploring； a row on the river or a walk in the woods； cannot arouse them。 Others dislike rivalry or competition； they are too sympathetic to wish victory over another and also they dread to lose。 They prefer team play and cooperation。 The world will always seem different to these two types。 This may be said now that for most of us； who are somewhat of a blend in this matter； rivalry is pleasant and stimulating when there is a show of success； but we prefer cooperation when we foresee failure。 This brings up the interesting phase of precedent in energy release。 Early success； unless it brings too high a self…valuation； which is its great danger； is remarkably valuable in releasing energy； and failure establishes a precedent that may bring doubt； fear and the attendant inhibition of energy。 Of course； failure may bring with it caution and a recasting of plans and thus constitute the most valuable of experiences。 But if it is too great； or if there is lacking a certain fortitude； it may act as a paralyzer of energy thenceforth。 In the prize ring this is often noted； the spirit of a man goes with a defeat and he never again has self…confidence； thereafter his energy is constantly inhibited。 Emotions have long been studied in their effects on energy。 In fact； every animal that bristles and snarls as it faces a foe is； unconsciously； attempting to paralyze with fear its opponent； to render it helpless through the inhibition of action。 So with the lurking tiger； it waits in silence for the prey and seeks the fascination of surprise as a factor in victory。 On the other hand； the emotion of fear may be a releaser of energy for the prospective victim； it may release the energies of flight and add to the power of the animal。 In this； there is a unique and neglected phase of emotion； i。e。； if you shake your fist at your enemy and he runs away or knocks you down； then your manifestation of anger has been unsuccessful for you but his reaction has been successful for him。 If he becomes so paralyzed with fear that you can work your will with him； then your anger is successful while his fear is not。 Most of the psychologists have neglected this phase of emotion。 Thus it is hard to understand the use fainting from terror has to the victim。 The answer is it is useful to him who has caused the victim to faint。 6。 For the individual； the emotion of fear has as its function a preparation for a danger that is foreseen to be too powerful to be met with effective resistance。 Fear says； 〃It's no use to fight； fly or hide。〃 Therefore； normally there is a heightening of energy feeling and action in these two directions。 There are plenty of recorded incidents where fear has enabled men to run distances utterly impossible to them otherwise。 In the fear states of mental disease； the resistance a frail woman will offer to her attendants is such that the utmost strength of several people is required to restrain her。 Under these circumstances fear acts as an energizer； causing physical reactions not ordinarily within the will of the person。 〃Fear lends wings；〃 is the time…honored way of expressing this。 The trapped animal makes 〃frantic〃 efforts to escape。 Fear is extraordinarily contagious； perhaps because as herd members the cry of fear sets us all racing for safety。 This is the grimmest danger from fires in public places or the presence of a coward in a military unit。 Panic occurs with its blind unreasoning flight； and the result is disastrous。 I emphasize again that emotions are poorly adapted to the welfare of the individual。 Business panics are in large measure the result of the contagiousness of fear； timidity spreads like wildfire； distrust and suspicion are aroused and stagnation results without a 〃real〃 basis。 In President Wilson's phrase； the panic is 〃purely psychological。〃 Intellectualized； fear becomes one of the driving forces of life； as Hobbes＇1＇ pointed out。 Fear of punishment undoubtedly deters from crime； though it is not in itself sufficient； and the kind of punishment becomes important。 Fear of hunger has brought prudence； caution； agriculture into the world。 Life insurance has its root in fear for others； who are really part of one's self； the fear of the rainy day is back of most of the thrift； though the acquisitive feeling and duty may also operate powerfully。 Fear of venereal disease impels many a man to continence who otherwise would follow his desire。 And fear of the bad opinion of others is the most powerful deterrent force