Of course people are afraid. But honestly facing that fear, seeing it for what it is, is the only way of putting it to rest.
—Harvey Fierstein (b.1952) American Actor, Playwright, Civil Rights Activist
We cannot banish dangers, but we can banish fears. We must not demean life by standing in awe of death.
—David Sarnoff (1891–1972) American Broadcaster, Businessman
In time of danger it is proper to be alarmed until danger be near at hand; but when we perceive that danger is near, we should oppose it as if we were not afraid.
—The Hitopadesha Indian (Sanskrit) Collection of Fables
It is in great dangers that we see great courage.
—Jean-Francois Regnard
No one is worthy of a good home here or in heaven that is not willing to be in peril for a good cause.
—John Mason Brown (1900–69) American Columnist, Journalist, Author
Our safety is not in blindness, but in facing our danger.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream less but to dream more, to dream all the time.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
Decide which is the line of conduct that presents the fewest drawbacks and then follow it out as being the best one, because one never finds anything perfectly pure and unmixed, or exempt from danger.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.
—Vincent van Gogh (1853–90) Dutch Painter
Be bold-and mighty forces will come to your aid.
—Basil King
The person, who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.
—Leo Buscaglia (1924–98) American Motivational Speaker
The wise man in the storm prays God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Great perils have this beauty, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.
—Thucydides
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
A man’s opinion of danger varies at different times according to his animal spirits, and he is actuated by considerations which he dares not avow.
—Tobias Smollett (1721–71) Scottish Poet, Novelist, Author
There is often less danger in the things we fear than in the things we desire.
—John Churton Collins (1848–1908) English Literary Critic
It is the business of the future to be dangerous…. The major advances in civilization are processes that all but wreck the societies in which they occur.
—Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947) English Mathematician, Philosopher, Logician
Constant exposure to dangers will breed contempt for them.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) Roman Philosopher, Political leader, Dramatist
A timid person is frightened before a danger; a coward during the time; and a courageous person afterward.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
If we are intended for great ends, we are called to great hazards.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Catholic Clergyman, Hymn writer, Poet
It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
It is easy to be brave when far away from danger.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet
However well organized the foundations of life may be, life must always be full of risks.
—Havelock Ellis (1859–1939) British Sexologist, Physician, Social Reformer
Every man is his own chief enemy.
—Anacharsis Scythian Philosopher
The most dangerous thing in the world is to try to leap a chasm in two jumps.
—David Lloyd George (1863–1945) British Liberal Statesman
Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes the furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The “sure thing” boat never gets far from shore.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author