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
                  -- or live.

Chained by his certitudes,
            he is a slave,
                      he has forfeited freedom.

Only a person who risks
                  -- is free.

                                    -- Unknown