Avoid Quote by Sydney J. Harris

““The only way to avoid trouble is to avoid living.””

Sydney J. Harris

About This Quote

Source Column: The New York Times, 1972

Avoiding risk leads to a stagnant life; trouble is part of living.

In simple terms: Risk is essential to life.

Key Takeaway

Accept challenges as part of existence.

Themes

risk life trouble

Mood

serious reflective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

career decisions
relationship conflicts
adventure pursuits

Key Concepts

existential philosophy personal growth

Questions to Reflect On

What risks have you avoided?
How does fear shape your choices?

A Different Perspective

May downplay legitimate dangers.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2.4 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Sydney J. Harris

This is a lesson mankind has not yet learned. We identify, and stratify, and treat persons largely on the basis of their accidental (physical)…

Sydney J. Harris

Image

Character is something you forge for yourself; temperament is something you are born with and can only slightly modify.

Sydney J. Harris

Image

Middle Age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us, one saying, 'Why not?' and the other, 'Why bother?'

Sydney J. Harris

Image

The profound immoralities of our time are cruelty, indifference, injustice and the use of others as means rather than ends in themselves.

Sydney J. Harris

Image

Marriages we regard as the happiest are those in which each of the partners believes he or she got the best of it.

Sydney J. Harris

Image

“...it calls for deciding things on their own merit, not because you read it or were told it or grew up believing it.”

Sydney J. Harris

Image

Ignorance per se is not nearly as dangerous as ignorance of ignorance.

Sydney J. Harris

Image

Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their…

Sydney J. Harris

Image

A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, his is also one who is permanently disappointed in the future.

Sydney J. Harris

Image

Time is love, above all else. It is the most precious commodity in the world and should be lavished on those we care most…

Sydney J. Harris

Image

Just about the only interruption we don't object to is applause.

Sydney J. Harris

Image

“The cynic is goodhearted beneath his facade, whereas the sentimentalist is flint-hearted beneath his.”

Sydney J. Harris

Image

Explore all 226 Sydney J. Harris quotes

More Avoid quotes

By eating many fruits and vegetables in place of fast food and junk food, people could avoid obesity.

David H. Murdock

Image

Becoming famous is a really shocking thing, especially when you don't have aspirations to it. It got to the point where I would try…

Alison Moyet

Image

I love the sea, but I avoid any sort of seaside resort that has skyscrapers or seaside entertainments.

Quentin Blake

Image

The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…

Francis Collins

Image

I avoid processed food.

Bernard Hopkins

Image

I avoid envy at all costs.

Claudia Winkleman

Image

Patients' lives are more important than embryos. I do want to avoid the use of embryos if possible.

Shinya Yamanaka

Image

I studiously avoid any academic dissections of the play and any kind of previous experience of playing. For me, it's all in the play.

Glenda Jackson

Image

The mark of the man is how he responds to situations. You're not going to avoid tough times. We're all over the barrel some…

Martin Short

Image

God knows we are subtle creatures who are more than able to use candour to avoid acknowledging our deceptions of others and ourselves.

Stanley Hauerwas

Image

Because Techstars is an intensely productive three-month program in which product development and iteration are primary goals, we're constantly looking to streamline our program…

David Cohen

Image

Pacifism as a mass movement aims to avoid suffering; pacifists often say that no cause is worth suffering or dying for. The ethos of…

Adam Michnik

Image

Browse all 986 Avoid quotes

Avoid Quote by Sydney J. Harris

About This Quote

Related quotes

More by Sydney J. Harris

More Avoid quotes