to laugh is to risk appearing the fool
to weep is to risk appearing sentimental
to reach for another is to risk involvement
to expose your feelings is to risk exposing your true self
to place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
to love is to risk not being loved in return
to live is to risk dying
to believe 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,
.... is nothing.
they may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot
learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by their attitudes they are slaves;
they have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.