Is Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Truly Wise?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phrase "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" and its implications regarding risk-taking in life. Participants explore whether this adage represents wisdom or a potential recipe for disaster, examining the balance between risk and caution in various contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that taking risks is essential for achieving success, suggesting that without risk, one cannot gain anything meaningful.
  • Others caution that while risks can lead to success, they can also result in significant failures, indicating that the outcomes of risk-taking are not guaranteed.
  • A few participants highlight the dual nature of risk, noting that both success and failure stories exist, and that failures are often less visible in history.
  • There are mentions of various proverbs that reflect different attitudes towards risk, with some advocating for caution and others promoting boldness.
  • Some participants propose that evaluating risks soberly is crucial, suggesting that there is a need for a balance between taking risks and being prudent.
  • Several participants reference the idea that failing after taking a risk may be preferable to not taking any risks at all, emphasizing the value of experience gained from failure.
  • Humorous remarks about the consequences of risk-taking, such as accidents with power tools, are shared, adding a light-hearted tone to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the wisdom of the adage, with no clear consensus reached. Some support the idea that risk is necessary for success, while others emphasize the potential dangers of risk-taking. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various proverbs and personal anecdotes, indicating that the discussion is influenced by individual experiences and cultural sayings. The complexity of risk assessment and the subjective nature of success and failure are acknowledged but not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals contemplating risk in personal or professional contexts, as well as those interested in philosophical reflections on decision-making and the nature of success and failure.

FallenApple
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Are these words of wisdom? Or is it a recipe for disaster?
 
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Wisdom, meaning that until you take risks in life, you will not achieve success.
 
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FallenApple said:
Are these words of wisdom? Or is it a recipe for disaster?

Both.

If you do not push had enough that mistakes are possible, then you are not pushing hard enough. It is possible, however, to make a large mistake when pushing hard.

There are no guarantees in life.
 
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Yes, both.

Some people gain fortune for themselves, others destroy their own lives for risking it. Examples of success are many and examples of failures too although the latter are a little harder to find because sometimes the actor ends up being erased from history in the process. And if there is any record left, it won't speak good about them.

So both. How do they call that in English? Is it a double edged blade? Or was it sword?
 
Wrichik Basu said:
Wisdom, meaning that until you take risks in life, you will not achieve success.

And, it's not necessarily about risking all, but about getting out and trying.
 
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FallenApple said:
Are these words of wisdom? Or is it a recipe for disaster?

There is no such thing as a ultimate strategy, particularly one that can be distilled into four words. Unfortunately for many making intelligent decisions requires work.
 
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FallenApple said:
Are these words of wisdom? Or is it a recipe for disaster?
It’s better to be safe than to be sorry – don’t take risks

Nothing ventured nothing gained- take risks

Time and tide wait for no man – don’t wait too before taking a risk

Curiosity killed the cat – taking a risk one day could ruin a relation, marriage, lose you your job or kill you.

In other words at some point in your life you may need to take a risk…. or not.
 
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pinball1970 said:
It’s better to be safe than to be sorry– don’t take risks
Rather worry than sorry - manage risk
 
pinball1970 said:
It’s better to be safe than to be sorry – don’t take risks

Nothing ventured nothing gained- take risks

Time and tide wait for no man – don’t wait too before taking a risk

Curiosity killed the cat – taking a risk one day could ruin a relation, marriage, lose you your job or kill you.

In other words at some point in your life you may need to take a risk…. or not.
Different proverbs for different situations.

A great mind in India (I am not mentioning the name) had once said:
Take risks in life. If you win, you can lead. If you lose, you can guide.
 
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  • #10
pinball1970 said:
It’s better to be safe than to be sorry – don’t take risks

Nothing ventured nothing gained- take risks

Time and tide wait for no man – don’t wait too before taking a risk

Curiosity killed the cat – taking a risk one day could ruin a relation, marriage, lose you your job or kill you.

In other words at some point in your life you may need to take a risk…. or not.
Oddly, there is no adage I'm aware of for "soberly evaluate risks before taking them", which would seem to eliminate most of the need for the others.
 
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  • #11
Wrichik Basu said:
Wisdom, meaning that until you take risks in life, you will not achieve success.
That is all it means.
 
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  • #12
russ_watters said:
Oddly, there is no adage I'm aware of for "soberly evaluate risks before taking them", which would seem to eliminate most of the need for the others.
But sure, there is! You just wrote it. "Soberly evaluate risks before taking them". ... by russ_waters
 
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  • #13
russ_watters said:
Oddly, there is no adage I'm aware of for "soberly evaluate risks before taking them", which would seem to eliminate most of the need for the others.

Measure twice, cut once.
 
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  • #14
FallenApple said:
Are these words of wisdom? Or is it a recipe for disaster?
I like the adage; nothing ventured nothing gained...

in what way could the adage be a recipe for disaster if not a potentially disastrous venture in the first place?
 
  • #15
Success stories you hear out there are a result of thousands of others who failed after taking the risk. You risk something and you either fall into one of the two extremes in life. Most people fail, some people succeed. In my personal opinion though, failing after taking a risk is better than getting nothing for risking nothing.
 
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  • #16
George Jones said:
It is possible, however, to make a large mistake when pushing hard.
Too true. One's unanticipated children often turn out to be large mistakes.
:doh:
 
  • #17
pinball1970 said:
Curiosity killed the cat
I got told there's an ongoing NASA investigation for that.
 
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  • #18
HAYAO said:
failing after taking a risk is better than getting nothing for risking nothing.

I think this is better than the original

Psinter said:
I got told there's an ongoing NASA investigation for that.

I thought this was some Schrödinger reference till I googled, “cat in space.”
 
  • #19
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
Or, as I like to think of it.

Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.
 
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  • #20
BillTre said:
Measure twice, cut once.
He who hesitates is lost. [though maybe not lost a finger in the circular saw]
 
  • #21
jbriggs444 said:
[though maybe not lost a finger in the circular saw]
i just did that too.

fatigue and power saws don't mix.
 
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  • #22
russ_watters said:
Oddly, there is no adage I'm aware of for "soberly evaluate risks before taking them", which would seem to eliminate most of the need for the others.
Look before you leap?
 
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  • #23
Ounce of prevention ?
 
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  • #24
Nothing can beat this:

“Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end.”
Edward Whymper, Scrambles Amongst the Alps
 
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