Have you ever been friends with someone who dives headfirst into challenges? Maybe there is someone you know who likes to take risks with the hope of an amazing outcome. If so, the phrase fortune favors the bold is an idiom that could aptly apply. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The phrase fortune favors the brave is a very common idiom that is used all over the world. It means that people who take riskier actions are those who also get bigger rewards. Another meaning is that people who choose to show courage will be rewarded with a fortune in great measure. The point of the idiom is to encourage people to take a chance on their dreams or even a simple decision that is not usually within their character.
If you are looking for a way to encourage someone to take a chance, mentioning that fortune favors the bold is a great way to do it. The entire purpose of the phrase is intended to spur action instead of measured consideration.
Example Usage
“There is no point in waiting for an automatic promotion, take a chance, after all, fortune favors the bold”.
“The worse that can happen is that he says no when you ask him out, fortune favors the bold, to go for it”.
“When it comes to moving forward in business, fortune favors the bold and safe choices limit advancement”.
“There is no way to win this debate, fortune favors the bold and punishes the logical”.
Origin
The phrase actually has two forms, both mean the same thing, but have different origins. Fortune favors the brave is a proverb in Latin that was first seen in 190-159 B.C. Terence was credited for the proverb initially. The agreed upon the first record of fortune favors the brave is in a play titled Phormio in 161 B.C. The play was written by Terance, who is a well-known Roman playwright. The phrase is a translation of the Latin term “fortis fortuna adiuvat”.
The second form, fortune favors the bold is a phrase that is credited to the poet Virgil, who is also from Rome. He used the phrase in the Aeneid in 19 B.C. and the phrase was also used in its Latin form. Though the spelling of the words originally used in Latin was different, the idea behind both phrases is identical.
Phrases Similar to Fortune Favors The Bold
- Going out on a limb.
- Fortune favors the brave.
- You won’t know unless you try.
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Phrases Opposite to Fortune Favors The Bold
- Slow and steady wins the race.
- Simple is as simple does.
- Take your time.
- Look before you leap.
What is the Correct Saying?
- The correct saying is fortune favors the bold.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Fortune Favors The Bold
Some ways that Fortune Favors The Bold is used incorrectly are:
- Hey, fortune favors the bold so it is better to be safe than sorry.
- Instead of thinking that fortune favors the bold, you should take risks and go out on a limb.
- Try to make the safe choice in a mate, fortune favors the bold so you won’t be happy.
- Instead of living a life of ease, keep in mind that fortune favors the bold when choosing a career.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Fortune Favors The Bold
Some ways that Fortune Favors The Bold is used correctly are:
- Fortune favors the bold so blaze the path of glory on the way to achieving your dreams.
- Instead of wasting time on the safe path, take a chance. After all, fortune favors the bold and ignores the meek.
- In the music industry, fortune favors the bold so take chances with your look and sound.
- To be safe, look before you leap into a decision, but keep in mind that fortune favors the bold.