The innocence that feels no risk and is taught no caution is more vulnerable than guilt, and oftener assailed.
—Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806–67) American Poet, Playwright, Essayist
Without risk, faith is an impossibility.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
If you really want to break from the pack, you have to risk being perceived to be as eccentric as these people. You have to think exception-ally—a LOT!
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
The more thou dost advance, the more thy feet pitfalls will meet. The Path that leadeth on is lighted by one fire—the light of daring burning in the heart. The more one dares, the more he shall obtain. The more he fears, the more that light shall pale
—Helena Blavatsky (1831–91) Ukrainian-born American Theosophist, Spiritual Leader, Philosopher, Mystic
We may by our excessive prudence squeeze out of the life we are guarding so anxiously all the adventurous quality that makes it worth living.
—Randolph Bourne (1886–1918) American Writer, Scholar
No one reaches a high position without daring.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
There is a syndrome in sports called “paralysis by analysis.”
—Arthur Ashe (1943–93) American Tennis Player
Don’t refuse to go on an occasional wild goose chase. That’s what wild geese are for.
—Anonymous
The willingness to take risks is our grasp of faith.
—George Edward Woodberry (1855–1930) American Literary Critic, Poet
If you’re not a risk taker, you should get the hell out of business.
—Ray Kroc (1902–84) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.
—James Bryant Conant (1893–1978) American Chemist, Educator
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
We must have courage to bet on our ideas, to take the calculated risk, and to act. Everyday living requires courage if life is to be effective and bring happiness.
—Maxwell Maltz (1899–1975) American Surgeon, Motivational Writer
We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.
—May Sarton (1912–95) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Novelist
As soon as there is life, there is danger.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
It is only by risking … that we live at all.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one’s mistakes.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Be brave enough to live creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You can’t get there by bus, only by hard work, risking, and by not quite knowing what you’re doing. What you’ll discover will be wonderful: yourself.
—Alan Alda (b.1936) American Actor, TV Personality, Screenwriter
A fall from the third floor hurts as much as a fall from the hundredth. If I have to fall, may it be from a high place.
—Paulo Coelho (b.1947) Brazilian Songwriter, Novelist
Fortune befriends the bold.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Don’t listen to those who say, “It’s not done that way.” Maybe it’s not, but maybe you will. Don’t listen to those who say, “You’re taking too big a chance.” Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most importantly, don’t listen when the little voice of fear inside of you rears its ugly head and says, “They’re all smarter than you out there. They’re more talented, they’re taller, blonder, prettier, luckier and have connections … ” I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you’ll be a person worthy of your own respect.
—Neil Simon (1927–2018) American Playwright
To save oneself, one must take risks and struggle.
—Indian Proverb
Great love and great achievements involve great risk.
—Anonymous
It is when we all play safe that we create a world of utmost insecurity.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
Prudence is an attitude that keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.
—Unknown
To do an evil act is base. To do a good one without incurring danger, is common enough. But it is the part of a good man to do great and noble deeds though he risks everything in doing them.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Every noble acquisition is attended with its risks; he who fears to encounter the one must not expect to obtain the other.
—Metastasio (1698–1782) Italian Poet, Librettist
The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all.
—Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964) Indian Head of State