To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental or weak,
To reach out for another is to risk involvement,
To express feeling is to risk exposing one's true self,
To share ideas or dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss,
To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To live is to risk dying,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure.

The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
They who risk nothing, have nothing, are nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But fail to grow to be as much of themselves as they can be,
And to have as much time and life as there is.
Only a person who risks is free.