Fear is not a great motivator for people. Rather, it may lead to reckless and desperate behavior. Cultivate respect and understanding, not fear.
Chapter 74
If people aren't afraid of death,
how can you threaten them with it?
If people live in constant fear of dying,
And if breaking the law means that someone will,
want to kill them,
Who would dare to break the law?
There is always an official executioner.
If you try to take his place,
It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood.
If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter,
you will only hurt your hand.
What's Master DudeWay Say?
Think about it like the approach of Mister Rogers (of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood fame). He never used fear to guide the children who watched his show. Instead, he respected them, treated them with kindness, and helped them understand complex emotions and situations. He didn't wield a proverbial executioner's ax. He knew if he tried to do so, he'd probably just hurt his hand (or in his case, his puppet-wielding hand).
Dudeism Abides
You can't scare people into doing the right thing. Fear is a powerful emotion but it's not a good way to run a show. The Big Lebowski never threatened anyone, he just went along his way and still made a big impact.
In fear's grim presence,
The hand cuts, but not with skill,
Respect heals us still.
