To laugh is to risk appearing like a fool
To weep is to risk appearing like sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk to failure
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing
The person who risk nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing
He may avoid suffering and sorrow
But he cannot learm, feel, change, grow or live
Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom
Only a person who risk is free
The pessimist complains about the wind
The optimist expects it to change
And the realist adjusts the sails.

William Arthur Ward, " To Risk "