RISKS

To laugh is to risk being the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach for another is to risk involvement.
To show feelings is to risk showing yourself.

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 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.
Those who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing and are 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 truly free.

Source: Anon. Theme of Brathay outward-bounds course for Leadership Development (1987).