Page 207 - Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich Full Book | Success Learned

THE FEAR OF CRITICISM

Just how man originally came by this fear, no one can state definitely, but one
thing is certain- he has it in a highly developed form. Some believe that this fear
made its appearance about the time that politics became a "profession." Others
believe it can be traced to the age when women first began to concern themselves
with "styles" in wearing apparel.

This author, being neither a humorist nor a prophet, is inclined to attribute the
basic fear of criticism to that part of man's inherited nature which prompts him
not only to take away his fellowman's goods and wares, but to justify his action
by CRITICISM of his fellowman's character. It is a well known fact that a thief
will criticise the man from whom he steals-that politicians seek office, not by dis-
playing their own virtues and qualifications, but by attempting to besmirch their
opponents.

The fear of criticism takes on many forms, the majority of which are petty and
trivial. Bald-headed men, for example, are bald for no other reason than their fear
of criticism. Heads become bald because of the tight fitting bands of hats which
cut off the circulation from the roots of the hair. Men wear hats, not because they
actually need them, but mainly because "everyone is doing it."

The individual falls into line and does likewise, lest some other individual CRITI-
CISE him. Women seldom have bald heads, or even thin hair, because they wear
hats which fit their heads loosely, the only purpose of the hats being adornment.

But, it must not be supposed that women are free from the fear of criticism. If any
woman claims to be superior to man with reference to this fear, ask her to walk
down the street wearing a hat of the vintage of 1890.

The astute manufacturers of clothing have not been slow to capitalize this basic
fear of criticism, with which all mankind has been cursed. Every season the styles
in many articles of wearing apparel change. Who establishes the styles? Certainly
not the purchaser of clothing, but the manufacturer. Why does he change the
styles so often? The answer is obvious. He changes the styles so he can sell more
clothes.

For the same reason the manufacturers of automobiles (with a few rare and very
sensible exceptions) change styles of models every season. No man wants to drive
an automobile which is not of the latest style, although the older model may ac-
tually be the better car. We have been describing the manner in which people
behave under the influence of fear of criticism as applied to the small and petty

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