Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than of death.
—James F. Byrnes (1882–1972) American Elected Representative, Political leader, Politician
Only those means of security are good, are certain, are lasting, that depend on yourself and your own vigor.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
The task we must set for ourselves is not to feel secure, but to be able to tolerate insecurity.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively, unless you can choose a challenge instead of a competence.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
I’m in love with the potential of miracles. For me, the safest place is out on a limb.
—Shirley MacLaine (b.1934) American Actor, Dancer, Author, Activist
Security will produce danger.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
If you want security, go to prison.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
Self-defense is Nature’s oldest law.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Yet one thing secures us what ever betide, the scriptures assures us the Lord will provide.
—Isaac Newton (1643–1727) English Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer, Theologian
There is nothing stable in the world; uproar’s your only music.
—John Keats (1795–1821) English Poet
Self-defense is Nature’s eldest law.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
We spend our time searching for security and hate it when we get it.
—John Steinbeck (1902–68) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Journalist
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Whoever created the name life insurance had to be the sales genius of all time.
—Robert Half
Is there any sex-distinction in the Atman (Self)? Out with the differentiation between man and woman—all is Atman! Give up the identification with the body, and stand up!
—Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) Indian Hindu Monk, Mystic
When you know that you’re capable of dealing with whatever comes, you have the only security the world has to offer.
—Harry Browne (1933–2006) American Politician, Investor, Writer
You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man’s age-old dream-the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path.
—Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) American Head of State
The search for static security—in the law and elsewhere—is misguided. The fact is security can only be achieved through constant change, adapting old ideas that have outlived their usefulness to current facts.
—William O. Douglas (1898–1980) American Judge
The ultimate in futility is owning important jewelry. Insurers often insist on the wearing of paste replicas because necks with real rocks around ’em risk wringing.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
We hear of a silent generation, more concerned with security than integrity, with conforming than performing, with imitating than creating.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874–1956) American Business Executive
Stability is not immobility.
—Klemens Wenzel, Prince von Metternich (1773–1859) Austrian Political leader, Politician
We’re in greater danger today than we were the day after Pearl Harbor. Our military is absolutely incapable of defending this country.
—Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) American Head of State
Whatever course you have chosen for yourself, it will not be a chore but an adventure if you bring to it a sense of the glory of striving, if your sights are set far above the merely secure and mediocre.
—David Sarnoff (1891–1972) American Broadcaster, Businessman
When a difficult situation comes into your life, it is possible to tune in to your mind and say, “Okay, choose”. Are you going to make yourself miserable or content? Are you going to visualize scarcity or abundance? Are you going to put yourself down for getting angry with your husband or are you simply going to notice what insecurity you were feeling at the time and discuss it with him? The choice is definitely yours. Pick the one that contributes most to your aliveness and growth.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Living based in security is living based in fear.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing.
—William Congreve (1670–1729) English Playwright, Poet
There is no such thing as security. There never has been.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer