Having nothing to fear is more than courageous. He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears. Michel Eyquem, Sieur de Montaigne, also known as the Lord of Montaigne and as Michel De Montaigne. The quote is for all of us because it may be true for all of us. Those who pioneered America may have had fear. It did not stop them from coming or going. A name on a stone at the head of a grave does not tell the tale of that persons life.
Having nothing to fear is more a term of considered individual effort, than a complete truism. A writers purpose might be to record that individuals tale and offer it for everyone to read, to be entertained and relive events and circumstances in that persons life. Learning of the fears and the passions that person faced and embraced is sometimes uplifting and always educational. It is difficult to imagine men, and also women, who loaded a two wheeled hand cart to go on foot and pull the cart from Illinois to Utah without roads to follow.
Having nothing to fear is not realistic. Small fears warn us of needs and possible dangers such a those Joshua faced in the novel titled Jewella Crossing @ https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/496334 White froth fell from the mouth of the dusty black mule. His head hung low, swinging from side to side with each labored step. He staggered, then pitched forward and fell onto his side, against the legs of the larger mule.
Red dust, covering the trail in the southwest region of Arkansas Territory, rose in a puffed billow and settled over the unseeing eye of the lifeless animal.
Having nothing to fear might lead a person to go where grief and trouble wait like the trials Joshua faced in the novel Joshua’s Way : https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/525238 proceeds Jewella Crossing.
In the city of Charleston, Joshua stood as the tailor took measurements to make new clothes for him after Doctor Samuel Butterman had his measurements finished.
Sakeem asked, “Does another tailor have a shop here in Charleston, other than Miss Traylor?”
Maurice Ledbetter looked around Joshua and spoke for all to hear, “No. Only Dot Traylor. She does dresses for women, exclusively.”
Sakeem asked, “Who do you trust to change your valuables into currency?”
“Jared Tilson is a trader in all things valuable. He does my exchanges. I save them and make my exchanges when he comes into town.”
Having nothing to fear. The beginning of Joshua @ https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/702241 proceeds Joshua’s Way First to move. First to die. He was somewhere in the grove of trees, within Joshua’s hearing. He sensed it. He felt it. A life force was not far from him.
Another man had been sent; intent on proving he is capable. Capable of killing his enemy. Capable of feeding his family. Capable of making a judgment to take control of a desperate situation and act violently to emerge victorious. Capable of leading his people.
There had been no movement for more than an hour by either of the men.
He moved his foot.
Joshua caught the sound and saw the toes dig into the earth to begin a push toward a log to gain a more comfortable position and better cover.
It was a fatal mistake.
As the man moved laterally, Joshua faced the man’s position and moved away on his hands and feet, while keeping the tree between him and the man.
Having nothing to fear was without consideration for Joshua and the people of the early 1800’s lived with fear as a natural occurrence. It was a state of being during those times of seeking a better life that held less daily threats. Their actions were done as if they did not fear. Even the act of going outside of the home had an element of danger. They faced the dangers and prepared for them in such ways that were possible at the time. Life expectancy was best described as short for some. One of my great-great-grandmothers was ninety-six when she passed. Other than her name in a family bible I have no information about her life.
Having nothing to fear are words of someone would never held a rifle waiting to join in a firefight. Writers have the trust of their readers to venture their words with boldness. The characters need not be larger than life, though many were. Their actions should be. They may be portrayed in any manner the writer chooses. Fiction is not reality. Fairy tales are not.
Having nothing to fear Another quote by Albert Einstein, ‘If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales’.