The men of our day and days past love to speak of freedom. They praise reason, individuality, and courage as if they govern human life. However, beneath every state, nation, decision, and relationship lies a much more powerful force: fear.
Fear is the greatest driver of human emotion if analyzed close enough. Fear decides which truths are spoken aloud and which are kept silent. Fear keeps people in jobs and roles they hate. Fear convinces people to stay in relationships that drain them, or in beliefs they no longer truly hold. Entire lives are built upon avoidance. Avoidance of embarrassment. Avoidance of failure. Avoidance of uncertainty.
The modern man may claim to think for himself, yet he will constantly look over his shoulder for approval from others. Most men fear standing alone more than they fear living falsely. Even the most powerful of men are driven by fear; whether it be the fear of losing status, control, or relevance.
The civilizations we live in are shaped by fear. Governments fear collapse. Corporations fear instability. The individual fears isolation. Fear moves society like an invisible engine, silently directing our behavior while people pretend they are free.
A man may call himself rational on all levels, but he will constantly kneel before fear before he kneels to any kind of logic.
Perhaps this may be the greatest truth that humanity will never admit.
Fear is not just an occasional emotion, but the true ruler of humanity itself.
Modern Classical Thought 
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