To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out to someone is to risk involvement.

To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.

To place your ideas, yours dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.

To live is to risk despair.

To try is to risk failure.

But risk must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing.

They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love and live.

Chained by their attitudes, they are a slave, for they have forfeited their freedom.

Only the person who risks is free.