Accepting Quote by Christiaan Barnard
![“For a dying man it is not a difficult decision [to agree to become the world's first heart transplant] ... because he knows he is at the end. If a lion chases you to the bank of a river filled with crocodiles, you will leap into the water convinced you have a chance to swim to the other side. But…” quote by Christiaan Barnard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/615/christiaan-barnard-39607_accepting_for-a-dying-man-it-is-not-a-difficult-de_1156716.jpg)
“For a dying man it is not a difficult decision [to agree to become the world's first heart transplant] ... because he knows he is at the end. If a lion chases you to the bank of a river filled with crocodiles, you will leap into the water convinced you have a chance to swim to the other side. But you would not accept such odds if there were no lion.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 1967
Facing extreme danger can inspire bold actions, but only when a threat exists.
In simple terms: Risk drives bold choices when danger is present.
Key Takeaway
Assess risk before acting.
Themes
risk
courage
decision making
Mood
serious
thoughtful
Type
ethical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- emergency medicine
- high‑stakes negotiations
- personal crises
Key Concepts
Medical ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it wise to take a risk?
- How does fear influence decisions?
A Different Perspective
Without a real threat, risk‑taking may be reckless.
![“I had bought two male chimps from a primate colony in Holland. They lived next to each other in separate cages for several months before I used one as a [heart] donor. When we put him to sleep in his cage in preparation for the operation, he chattered and cried incessantly. We attached no…” quote by Christiaan Barnard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3b9/christiaan-barnard-39607_animal_i-had-bought-two-male-chimps-from-a-prim_126559.jpg)
