Fear vs. Caution

I know that caution is a good characteristic. We all know of sad stories featuring cocky teenagers suffering from the invincibility syndrome who suddenly come face to face with the cruel reality that they are not, in fact, invincible. We as people should be smart, educated with the truth the matter, and above all sensible.
But I think that we have gone, as with so many other things, too far. Caution - an honorable trait - has been so exploited that fear is encouraged as the socially accepted norm. How can we hope to keep ourselves safe from the crime that surrounds us if our wits have been addlepated by being continually steeped in fear?
Fear is not sensible. It is not wise. It gives the criminally-minded among us, the black holes of society the advantage; how can we face someone reasoning with cold logic if the only weapon we have at hand is to fall into hysterics?
I'm not saying not to be cautious. By all means lock your door at night, phone somebody if you'll be late. I'm advocating caution, because caution is sensible. And I believe that one of the most effective and certainly the most underrated aspects of the cautious individual is taking care that one is never in a threatening situation and incapacitated. Fear is incapacitating.
So be cautious. Use sense and reason. Avoid being in dangerous places for nothing more that the thrill. Take defense classes and carry a can of pepper spray if it helps you to feel less afraid. Be rational about danger. And quit falling for the socially acceptable and oh-so-heavily promoted idea that fear is good and will help to keep you safe.
But don't tell someone else what she or he can do. The mind is a powerful tool. If I don't know that I can't beat up a 6'5" ax murderer, then I might just be able to if I had the reason and adrenaline rush. But you say, "How do we know that you're not holding on to your invincibility syndrome?" I don't do reckless things, drugs, alcohol, joyriding, etc. I'm as safe and sane as you are. I'm just as cautious. But I'm not afraid.
And yes, if I had something good and solid to use as a blunt object, I could beat up an intruder. So don't you think that I can't.