fearful/fearsome

Do you want to be considered a "fearful" person? Probably not, unless you want others to think you're some kind of weenie.

"Fearful" means you're "full of fear." Maybe you're afraid of the dark, afraid of your spouse, afraid of the cat, or afraid of your own shadow. Say, you are a weenie, aren't you?

It's preferable to be "fearsome." If that's the case, you instill fear in others. That's better. That's what I want.

Don't get me wrong. I don't want people to cower in fear at the mere sight of me, but I also don't want them to think I'm some dork who's afraid of the cat, or, more importantly, afraid of my spouse.

I hope she doesn't read this.