They are surely to be esteemed the bravest spirits who, having the clearest sense of both the pains and pleasures of life, do not on that account shrink from danger.
—Thucydides (c.455?c.400 BCE) Greek Historian
Great perils have this beauty, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
A victory without danger is a triumph without glory.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
All work of man is as the swimmer’s: a vast ocean threatens to devour him; if he front it not bravely, it will keep its word.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Decide which is the line of conduct that presents the fewest drawbacks and then follow it out as being the best one, because one never finds anything perfectly pure and unmixed, or exempt from danger.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
Let the fear of a danger be a spur to prevent it; he that fears not, gives advantage to the danger.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
We should never so entirely avoid danger as to appear irresolute and cowardly; but, at the same time, we should avoid unnecessarily exposing ourselves to danger, than which nothing can be more foolish.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
We cannot banish dangers, but we can banish fears. We must not demean life by standing in awe of death.
—David Sarnoff (1891–1972) American Broadcaster, Businessman
It’s a dangerous thing to think we know everything.
—Jack Kuehler (1932–2008) American Engineer, Businessperson
He that is not in the war is not out of danger.
—Unknown
The person who runs away exposes himself to that very danger more than a person who sits quietly.
—Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964) Indian Head of State
The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Danger itself is the best remedy for danger.
—Unknown
I postpone death by living, by suffering, by error, by risking, by giving, by losing.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
Dangers by being despised grow great.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.
—Clara Barton (1821–1912) American Social Activist
It is only by risking … that we live at all.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Don’t play for safety – it’s the most dangerous thing in the world
—Hugh Walpole (1884–1941) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Dramatist
Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes the furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The “sure thing” boat never gets far from shore.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
If we are intended for great ends, we are called to great hazards.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
Kindness and intelligence don’t always deliver us from the pitfalls and traps: there are always failures of love, of will, of imagination. There is no way to take the danger out of human relationships.
—Barbara Grizzuti Harrison (1934–2002) American Journalist, Essayist, Memoirist, Travel Writer
Would you learn the secret of the sea? Only those who brave its dangers, comprehend its mystery!
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
The wise man in the storm prays God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Many have had their greatness made for them by their enemies.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
Nothing is so exhilarating in life as to be shot at with no result.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.
—Vincent van Gogh (1853–90) Dutch Painter
To be alive at all involves some risk.
—Harold Macmillan (1894–1986) British Head of State
It is not manly to turn one’s back on fortune.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
One ought never to turn one’s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
A wreck on shore is a beacon at sea.
—Common Proverb
A person’s fears are lighter when the danger is at hand.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Biggest profits mean gravest risks.
—Chinese Proverb
Nothing is so dangerous as an ignorant friend.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
We triumph without glory when we conquer without danger.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
Silent men like still waters, are deep and dangerous.
—Common Proverb
It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
I destroy my enemy when I make him my friend.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream less but to dream more, to dream all the time.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
The most dangerous thing in the world is to try to leap a chasm in two jumps.
—David Lloyd George (1863–1945) British Liberal Statesman
As soon as there is life, there is danger.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
It is the business of the future to be dangerous…. The major advances in civilization are processes that all but wreck the societies in which they occur.
—Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947) English Mathematician, Philosopher
Danger, the spur of all great minds.
—George Chapman (c.1560–1634) English Poet, Playwright
If we must fall, we should boldly meet the danger.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
Liberty is always dangerous, but it is the safest thing we have.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
Actually, the streets are quite safe today, it’s the people on them who aren’t.
—Unknown
Without danger you cannot get beyond danger.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
When the danger is past God is cheated.
—Italian Proverb
When your neighbor’s wall breaks, your own is in danger.
—Icelandic Proverb