--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If a person cannot swim across the river…" description: "\"“If a person cannot swim across the river, he must take the bridge. He is not afraid of the water or worried that he may drown. But he takes the bridge..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e94/m-n-o-brien-114277_brave-man_if-a-person-cannot-swim-across-the-river_1529898.jpg" --- # If a person cannot swim across the river, he must take the… ![“If a person cannot swim across the river, he must take the bridge. He is not afraid of the water or worried that he may drown. But he takes the bridge out of necessity. It is a fact. To fear or worry over necessities (over facts), stills the mind. The stagnant mind only focuses and refocuses on a…” quote by M.N. O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e94/m-n-o-brien-114277_brave-man_if-a-person-cannot-swim-across-the-river_1529898.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e94/m-n-o-brien-114277_brave-man_if-a-person-cannot-swim-across-the-river_1529898.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e94/m-n-o-brien-114277_brave-man_if-a-person-cannot-swim-across-the-river_1529898.jpg) > ““If a person cannot swim across the river, he must take the bridge. He is not afraid of the water or worried that he may drown. But he takes the bridge out of necessity. It is a fact. To fear or worry over necessities (over facts), stills the mind. The stagnant mind only focuses and refocuses on a single point, without peripheral vision—it ponders danger, but it does not prepare for it. The brave man is not bound immobile with caution or lost scouting the fog of hazard calculating insurmountable variables. His sight and sense is not hindered and he may confront danger upon its arrival. To be brave is not to be careless or headstrong, but to act without expectation.”” [M.N. O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-n-o-brien/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When faced with necessity, choose the pragmatic path; fear blinds and limits vision. Bravery is purposeful action without expectation. **In simple terms:** Practical choices overcome fear; bravery is action. Key Takeaway Act deliberately despite fear. Themes bravery pragmatism necessity fear mindset Mood advice philosophical Type Brave man:1 Bravery:1 Bridges:1 Courage:1 Danger:1 Drowning:1 Fear:1 Psychology:1 Fact Fear:1 Bridge Afraid:1 Ponders Danger:1 Confront Danger:1 When to use this quote - problem solving - adventure - personal growth Key Concepts decision making courage mental focus Questions to Reflect On - determined - calm A Different Perspective Is caution ever useful?;How to balance risk and action? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brave man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave-man/) [Bravery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/) [Bridge Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bridge-afraid-5674009/) [Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bridges/) [Confront Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confront-danger-5674011/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Drowning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drowning/) [Fact Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fact-fear-736397/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Ponders Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ponders-danger-5674010/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [We have already discovered the fact that fear is the chief reason for poverty and failure and misery that takes on a thousand different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/we-have-already-discovered-the-fact-that-fear-is-the-chief-reason-for/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [“Fear of failure is fiction, face this fact and fear will fall.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/fear-of-failure-is-fiction-face-this-fact-and-fear-will-fall/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“It was the first time she’d consciously accepted that fact … and the fear that came with the knowledge. 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