To laugh is – to risk appearing the fool

To weep is – to risk appearing sentimental

To reach out for another is – to risk involvement

To expose feelings is – to risk exposing your true self

To place your ideas, your dreams before the 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

But risks 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. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love–live. Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave, he has forfeited freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.