proverb · Words worth keeping
One who fears failure limits his activities.
One who fears failure limits his activities.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying warns that fear of failure can narrow the activities a person considers. It asks how anticipated disappointment affects choices.
What the words are saying
Limits describes a possible restriction rather than proof that all caution is harmful. A useful application considers a particular avoided activity and whether its risks, costs and support make it worth attempting. Fear is not a moral defect, and declining an activity can be an informed decision rather than a failure of courage.
Everyday example
A learner examines whether worry or a practical constraint is the main reason they have avoided a new class.
When to use it
Use it to explore a specific choice without pressuring someone to take every opportunity.
What it does not mean
Caution can be reasonable, and fear does not establish weakness or an obligation to proceed.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 792; PDF page 112
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.