We live in an
age where we expect protection against every conceivable calamity,
natural disaster, and possible loss of income or prestige. For
most of us, security is prized even more than opportunity. Still,
sometimes security can be disastrous.
For example,
ten years before the Wright brothers made their first flight,
Hiram S. Maxim invented and built an airship powered by a steam
motor. How come you never heard of him? Because he built in so
many safeguards that one of them caused the ship to crash while
proving it could fly. The crash not only destroyed the machine
but killed any further ambitions of Maxim to build an aircraft.
There are times
when a certain amount of risk spurs us on to greater success.
Our ancestors certainly had no guarantees when they came to this
new land and settled it. They knew that you can't get something
for nothing unless you're willing to run the risk of getting
nothing in spite of everything.
We can never
substitute security for courage. Only slaves and prisoners get
to avoid worrying about where they're going to sleep and eat
and work.
And even a turtle
has to stick his neck out before he can get anywhere!
If you can't
make a move, it's like being in jail. And the only thing people
in jail have in common is that they all want out.