“For the conscience is always troubled, and if it does not have the serenity of tranquility within itself, it arrogantly elevates itself, but this presumption is restrained by fear itself. Therefore it is said that his fear is a help, that is, a remedy. It also reveals the weakness of the proud mind, which, by imaginin…”
Rabanus Maurus, 9th c. — Commentary on Wisdom, PL 109
Original
11For wickedness, condemned by her own witness, is very timorous, and being pressed with conscience, always forecasteth grievous things.
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In context
9For though no terrible thing did fear them; yet being scared with beasts that passed by, and hissing of serpents,
10They died for fear, denying that they saw the air, which could of no side be avoided.
— Wisdom of Solomon 17:11 —
12For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth.
13And the expectation from within, being less, counteth the ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment.