Risks II

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

– Mark Twain

It seems as though Mark Twain was also inspired by the William Shedd quote I posted yesterday.


Taking Risks

A ship is safe in the harbor, but that is not what ships are built for.

– William Shedd (or possibly Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper)

I taught high school in the early 80′s. I had this quote hanging on my classroom wall in one of those inspirational-type posters with a sailboat setting out to sea. I suppose I was trying to inspire my students to reach for adventure as they launched themselves into the world. I still draw inspiration from these words every time I am faced with the choice of a challenge and an adventure or playing it safe.