--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Im not afraid of dying, Im afraid of not…" description: "\"Im not afraid of dying, Im afraid of not trying\" — Jay Z" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/jay-z-2-4286_afraid_im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not_2808292.jpg" --- # Im not afraid of dying, Im afraid of not trying ![“Im not afraid of dying, Im afraid of not trying” quote by Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/jay-z-2-4286_afraid_im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not_2808292.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/jay-z-2-4286_afraid_im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not_2808292.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/jay-z-2-4286_afraid_im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not_2808292.jpg) > “Im not afraid of dying, Im afraid of not trying” [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He fears not trying more than dying, emphasizing action over fear of death. **In simple terms:** Not trying is scarier than dying. Key Takeaway Take action despite fear. Themes courage action legacy Mood determined reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career moves - artistic ventures - personal challenges - entrepreneurship Key Concepts risk‑taking self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What holds you back from trying? - How can you turn fear into motivation? A Different Perspective Failure can still be learning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) [Afraid Dying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-dying/) [Afraid Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-trying-370836/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Dying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dying/) [Dying Im](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dying-im-3500948/) [Encouraging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encouraging/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Im Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/im-afraid/) [Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not afraid of dying I'm afraid of not trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/i-m-not-afraid-of-dying-i-m-afraid-of-not-trying/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) > [Im not afraid of the gun in my hand, I'm not afraid of dying, I'm just afraid to c my my friends and family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/13-yearold/im-not-afraid-of-the-gun-in-my-hand-i-m-not-afraid-of-dying-i-m-just/) [13 Yearold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/13-yearold/) > [Don't be afraid of failure, be afraid of not trying in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-forleo/don-t-be-afraid-of-failure-be-afraid-of-not-trying-in-the-first-place/) [Marie Forleo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-forleo/) > [~\*¥ I am not afraid to keep on trying,I am not afraid to walk this world alone.But I know that you're beside me, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xxemopuppet/i-am-not-afraid-to-keep-on-trying-i-am-not-afraid-to-walk-this-world/) [Xxemopuppet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xxemopuppet/) > [I'm afraid I'm still trying to find that balance. Especially now that everyone wants a piece of me. I find that I have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-cisneros/i-m-afraid-i-m-still-trying-to-find-that-balance-especially-now-that/) [Sandra Cisneros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-cisneros/) > [No one should ever be afraid of failing; it’s being afraid to give it your all in trying that I urge against. If there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissie-wellington/no-one-should-ever-be-afraid-of-failing-it-s-being-afraid-to-give-it-2/) [Chrissie Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissie-wellington/) > [I think maybe the reason I have spent most of my life being afraid is that I have been trying to prepare myself to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-think-maybe-the-reason-i-have-spent-most-of-my-life-being-afraid-is-2/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“ Fear of Trying New Things High school is a time to figure out your interests. There are many clubs and groups that cover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-moehn/fear-of-trying-new-things-high-school-is-a-time-to-figure-out-your/) [Heather Moehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-moehn/) > [“Never be afraid of trying something new, Hassan. Very important. It is the spice of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-c-morais/never-be-afraid-of-trying-something-new-hassan-very-important-it-is/) [Richard C. Morais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-c-morais/) > [“COME TO ME with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-young/come-to-me-with-all-your-weaknesses-physical-emotional-and-spiritual-2/) [Sarah Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-young/) > [No one should ever be afraid of failing; it's being afraid to give it your all in trying that I urge against.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissie-wellington/no-one-should-ever-be-afraid-of-failing-it-s-being-afraid-to-give-it/) [Chrissie Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissie-wellington/) > [People are afraid of trying something new, of failing even before they start. My point is, what is the worst that can happen? You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suhasini-mulay/people-are-afraid-of-trying-something-new-of-failing-even-before-they/) [Suhasini Mulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suhasini-mulay/) > [Just go for it. Don't be afraid of trying new things. You have absolutely no idea what's going to present itself to you. Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-smith/just-go-for-it-don-t-be-afraid-of-trying-new-things-you-have/) [Phyllis Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-smith/) > [“I think maybe the reason I have spent most of my life being afraid is that I have been trying to prepare myself, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-think-maybe-the-reason-i-have-spent-most-of-my-life-being-afraid-is/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [When I was growing up, I would try to sing out of key very consciously. I was probably afraid of trying too hard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-hval/when-i-was-growing-up-i-would-try-to-sing-out-of-key-very-consciously/) [Jenny Hval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-hval/) ## More by Jay Z > [I once was, cool as the Fonz was. But these bright lights turned me to a monster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/i-once-was-cool-as-the-fonz-was-but-these-bright-lights-turned-me-to/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [No sympathy for the king huh? Niggas even talk about your baby crazy. Eventually the pendulum swings. Don't forget America this how you made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/no-sympathy-for-the-king-huh-niggas-even-talk-about-your-baby-crazy/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [Y'all can miss me with that money talk. The smart money's on Hov, fuck what the dummies talk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/y-all-can-miss-me-with-that-money-talk-the-smart-money-s-on-hov-fuck/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [Living the life. Vanilla wafers. In a villa. Illest nigga alive. Michael Jackson, Thriller.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/living-the-life-vanilla-wafers-in-a-villa-illest-nigga-alive-michael/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [I ain't no ordinary nigga, look around this ain't what ordinary gets ya. Extraordinary figures, I'm a extra ordinary nigga.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/i-ain-t-no-ordinary-nigga-look-around-this-ain-t-what-ordinary-gets/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [Peel off in a Lamborghini Countach. 200 in the dash we gonna rev it, skirt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/peel-off-in-a-lamborghini-countach-200-in-the-dash-we-gonna-rev-it/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [Baby I'm a boss, I don't know what they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/baby-i-m-a-boss-i-don-t-know-what-they-do/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [The work that you put into something is what you get out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/the-work-that-you-put-into-something-is-what-you-get-out-of-it/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [Can't believe they got a nigga to vote. Democrat, nope. I sold dope. In trouble water I had to learn how to float.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/can-t-believe-they-got-a-nigga-to-vote-democrat-nope-i-sold-dope-in/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [Having success for a year or two, that's called being hot. Being in demand. Excellence is being able to perform at a high level…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/having-success-for-a-year-or-two-that-s-called-being-hot-being-in/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [Jumping off boats, hopping off another cliff. Every six months I need a new bucket list.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/jumping-off-boats-hopping-off-another-cliff-every-six-months-i-need-a/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [I will not lose for even in defeat, theres a valuable lesson learned so it evens up for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/i-will-not-lose-for-even-in-defeat-theres-a-valuable-lesson-learned/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [I put 8 balls on corners with out using pool sticks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/i-put-8-balls-on-corners-with-out-using-pool-sticks/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [I don't care about shut I am myself bitches .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/i-don-t-care-about-shut-i-am-myself-bitches/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) > [Excellence is being able to perform at a high level, over and over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/excellence-is-being-able-to-perform-at-a-high-level-over-and-over/) [Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) [Explore all 113 Jay Z quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) [Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Im not afraid of dying, Im afraid of not trying", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jay Z" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not-trying/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afraid" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not-trying/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/jay-z-2-4286_afraid_im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not_2808292.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/jay-z-2-4286_afraid_im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not_2808292.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/jay-z-2-4286_afraid_im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not_2808292.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Im not afraid of dying, Im afraid of not trying” — Jay Z", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jay Z", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Im not afraid of dying, Im...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not-trying/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/im-not-afraid-of-dying-im-afraid-of-not-trying/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```