There are one hundred men seeking security to one able man who is willing to risk his fortune.
—J. Paul Getty (1892–1976) American Business Person, Art Collector, Philanthropist
The search for static security — in the law and elsewhere — is misguided. The fact is security can only be achieved through constant change, adapting old ideas that have outlived their usefulness to current facts.
—William O. Douglas (1898–1980) American Judge
No one can build his security upon the nobleness of another person.
—Willa Cather (1873–1947) American Novelist, Writer
There can be no security where there is fear.
—Felix Frankfurter (1882–1965) American Judge
Is there any sex-distinction in the Atman (Self)? Out with the differentiation between man and woman—all is Atman! Give up the identification with the body, and stand up!
—Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) Indian Hindu Mystic
There is no security on this earth. Only opportunity.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing.
—William Congreve (1670–1729) English Playwright, Poet
Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
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
We believe that our truly urgent need is to make our nation secure, our economy strong and our dollar sound. For every American this matter of the sound dollar is crucial. Without a sound dollar, every American family would face a renewal of inflation, an ever-increasing cost of living, the withering away of savings and life insurance policies.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
Whatever course you have chosen for yourself, it will not be a chore but an adventure if you bring to it a sense of the glory of striving, if your sights are set far above the merely secure and mediocre.
—David Sarnoff (1891–1972) American Broadcaster, Businessman
Security is a kind of death.
—Tennessee Williams (1911–83) American Playwright
There’s no security on this earth, only opportunity.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
The fishing is best where the fewest go, and the collective insecurity of the world makes it easy for people to hit home runs while everyone else is aiming for base hits. There is just less competition for bigger goals.
—Tim Ferriss (b.1977) American Self-help Author
When you know that you’re capable of dealing with whatever comes, you have the only security the world has to offer.
—Harry Browne (1933–2006) American Politician, Investor, Writer
Probably the only place where a man can feel really secure is in a maximum security prison, except for the imminent threat of release.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
Security… it’s simply the recognition that changes will take place and the knowledge that you’re willing to deal with whatever happens.
—Harry Browne (1933–2006) American Politician, Investor, Writer
Security is when everything is settled. When nothing can happen to you. Security is the denial of life.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
Man maintains his balance, poise, and sense of security only as he is moving forward.
—Maxwell Maltz (1899–1975) American Surgeon, Motivational Writer
Most people never feel secure because they are always worried that they will lose their job, lose the money they already have, lose their spouse, lose their health, and so on. The only true security in life comes from knowing that every single day you are improving yourself in some way, that you are increasing the caliber of who you are and that you are valuable to your company, your friends, and your family.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
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
I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done. If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Prudence is an attitude that keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist