She writes in her book "A Return to Love":
> "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you *not* to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
In essence, Williamson argues that we often hold ourselves back because we are afraid of the impact our full potential could have on the world. We are afraid of the responsibility that comes with being powerful.
This quote has become incredibly popular and resonates with many people as it speaks to our innate desire to be authentically ourselves and to live a life filled with purpose and meaning.