He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat.

Fear on its own decides nothing, and anyone who has faced real danger knows that brave people are often frightened. What does undermine a person is letting the fear of losing set every move, so that caution hardens into paralysis and the defeat is half conceded before anything happens. Being afraid and being ruled by the fear are different conditions.

When you are facing something that could beat you, admit the fear plainly rather than pretending it away. Then separate it from the plan, and ask what you would do next if the outcome were not yet decided, because it is not.