risks ( an excerpt )

RISKS

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing the sentimental
To reach out for another
is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd
is to risk their loss
To live 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
has nothing and is nothing
They may avoid suffering and sorrow
but they can not learn, feel, change, grow, live
Chained by their attitude, they are a slave
they have forfeited their freedom
Only the person who risks is free

--- anonymous