Only the One who Risks Is Free

To 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 share your ideas and dreams with others 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.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow.
But they simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, or live.
Chained by close-mindedness, they become slaves.
They have forfeited freedom.
Only the one who risks is free.

- anonymous