In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech what fear does William Faulkner say negatively influences many modern writers?

In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, William Faulkner expressed his belief that a fear of "the very old verities" negatively influences many modern writers.

He argued that these writers, in their fear of seeming sentimental or old-fashioned, often shy away from exploring fundamental truths about human nature, morality, and the human condition. This fear, Faulkner believed, led to a kind of artistic sterility and a loss of depth in their work.

He stated:

> "I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet's, the writer's, duty is to write about these things."

Essentially, Faulkner believed that writers who were afraid to explore these "very old verities" were missing out on the opportunity to create truly meaningful and enduring art.