About the saying 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'?

Question

Couldn't you also acknowlege that 'nothing ventured, nothing lost'?

Answer 1

Haha you will find, if you look hard enough, an antidote to almost every if not indeed every saying. "Look before you leap" could be countered with "He who hesitates is lost" or "A stitch in time saves nine" could be replied to with "Make hay while the sun shines" No matter what you want to do in life, it seems, the ancient wisdom of phrases and sayings will agree with you. And it is true what you have said "Nothing ventured, nothing lost" it's all about perspective. Shall I buy a lottery ticket? Nothing ventured, nothing gained so I will. Here you are thinking about what *could* be gained. In this scenario if the person has thought "Nothing ventured, nothing lost so I won't" they are thinking about what they would not want to risk losing and in this example if you measure the possible winnings against the possible loss there is a substantial difference. Maybe it's just me but I can think of far more examples of *this* nature, than where the risk of loss is more substantial. This would be why there is more call for the saying "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" rather than "Nothing ventured, nothing lost". This seems to be close to the definition of a "Thankless task", that is, something that you do for which you get absolutely no praise or recognition but if you were to not do this "thankless task" you would be made to regret it.

Answer 2

Life - it is the greatest adventure - seldom are the value judgments we place upon it actually quantifiable. I do not regret any of the sexual moments I have participated in, they combine to form the tapestry that explains what a very uniquely sexual creature I am. I can make that statement even though I was molested at a tender age, and have experienced both male and female partners. Do not waste time trying to get it "right" simply settle for keeping it "not dangerous" to your body or psyche. When I first became involved with another male in a sexual relationship, I became aware that (unlike some other gay men) I was unable to separate sexual expression and emotional attachment. (Sex was love...the idea of separating them is impossible to me). As I experienced some breakups and loss I became aware that I was much more invested than others and I had to be more careful whom I allowed to be in my life, pants, and bed. I still think that these experiences had value. I would not relive some of them, but they are part of who I have become. (You cannot rewrite the history, only observe it..right!..) So..Do not be afraid to experience your sexuality. Do not regret it if you don't have the best experience the first time, or the second. The longer you are at this...the better it gets! Good Luck

Answer 3

You can say that, but even if you don't know "you don't know it", makes you still lost something in a sense. As they say, better to try and lost than not trying at all. Because if one has not tried, then eventually, the perpetual question of whether you would have succeeded if you tried, will haunt you for the rest of your life.

Answer 4

Not all of the time. For instance, if you stay in your house every day and never take a risk, it could still be hit by a bomb or a tornado or a hurricane or an earthquake, or someone could rob it, or you could get audited by the IRS, or someone could die, or you could starve to death (food could be poisoned, right?)...
Everything we do engenders some sort of risk, even walking.

Answer 5

I guess you could...depends on your perspective. Maybe what is lost is potential...opportunity...not knowing "what could have been"?

Answer 6

perhaps opportunity lost...

Answer 7

if you dont try
youll never know if you would have won