In morals what begins in fear usually ends in wickedness in religion what begins in fear usually ends in fanaticism. Fear, either as a principle or a motive, is the beginning of all evil.

Summary

This quote suggests that when fear is the basis for our moral decisions or religious beliefs, it often leads to negative outcomes. In morality, if our actions are driven by fear, they can ultimately become immoral or wicked. Similarly, in religion, fear-based beliefs often lead to extreme fanaticism, lacking balance and rationality. The quote further argues that fear, whether it is a guiding principle or a motivator, tends to be the root cause of all evil.

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