To laugh is to risk appearing a fool
To weep 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 as a person who takes risks is free
