To laugh is to risk appearing a fool
To week is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out for another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk rejection
To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk ridicule
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds 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, is nothing
He may avoid
suffering and sorrow
But he cannot
learn, feel, change, grow or love
Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave
He has forfeited
his freedom.
Only
a person who takes risks is free.