There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear.

The line draws a practical distinction between fear as information and fear as paralysis. Patton’s formulation suggests that apprehension can be briefly consulted—used to identify real risks, weaknesses, or contingencies—before action begins. But once a decision is made and the moment for execution arrives, continued attention to fear becomes corrosive, undermining resolve and initiative. The quote reflects a command philosophy often associated with combat leadership: acknowledge danger without being governed by it, and convert anxiety into planning, discipline, and forward motion. Its enduring appeal lies in balancing prudence with decisiveness rather than endorsing recklessness.