Falling in love Quote by Colin Fletcher
““But if you judge safety to be the paramount consideration in life you should never, under any circumstances, go on long hikes alone. Don’t take short hikes alone, either – or, for that matter, go anywhere alone. And avoid at all costs such foolhardy activities as driving, falling in love, or inhaling air that is almost certainly riddled with deadly germs. Wear wool next to the skin. Insure every good and chattel you possess against every conceivable contingency the future might bring, even if the premiums half-cripple the present. Never cross an intersection against a red light, even when you can see all roads are clear for miles. And never, of course, explore the guts of an idea that seems as if it might threaten one of your more cherished beliefs. In your wisdom you will probably live to be a ripe old age. But you may discover, just before you die, that you have been dead for a long, long time.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Man Who Is Too Stupid to Live, Colin Fletcher, 1972
Overcautious avoidance of risk leads to a life lived in fear, missing true experience and meaning.
In simple terms: Too much safety kills living.
Key Takeaway
Embrace calculated risks.
Themes
risk
fear
life
balance
control
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
philosophical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- travel
- relationships
- career decisions
- health choices
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
risk management
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks are you avoiding?
- How does fear shape your choices?
A Different Perspective
Risk avoidance can cause stagnation and missed opportunities.
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