Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas and 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 the risks must be taken,
because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, and has nothing, is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, love or live.
Only a person who risks is free.

--Leo Buscaglia