{"id":6678,"date":"2022-07-29T06:27:26","date_gmt":"2022-07-29T06:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=6678"},"modified":"2022-08-19T17:39:20","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T17:39:20","slug":"nothing-ventured-nothing-gained-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/nothing-ventured-nothing-gained-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a way to motivate someone into action? You could use the proverbial saying \u201cnothing ventured, nothing gained<\/em><\/strong>\u201d to inspire them to take action.<\/p>\n

This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cnothing ventured, nothing gained<\/em>\u201d means that you must take risks in life if you want to succeed<\/u>. Nothing ventured, nothing gained<\/em> means that you commit to doing something, regardless of the outcome. <\/u>You don\u2019t know if it will turn out in your favor or be a disaster.<\/u><\/p>\n

Nothing ventured, nothing gained<\/em> means you\u2019re prepared to take a risk, even though there is a possibility that the outcome could adversely affect your life. It\u2019s a motivational statement to help people embrace the uncertainty of the unknown.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cI told John he needs to spread his wings and get out into the world if he wants to make something of his life. You know what they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe team needed some inspiration to rev them up at the beginning of the second half. I told them to throw caution to the wind and play like their lives depended on it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing ventured, nothing gained. Let\u2019s hit this trail and see where it takes us. There\u2019s nothing like exploring the unknown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it seems challenging right now, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Sometimes you have to grit your teeth and push through it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Nothing \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' originates from John Heywood's glossary \"A Dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the Prouerbes in the Englishe tongue,\" published in 1546, where the saying appears as follows.<\/p>\n

\u201cNoght veter noght haue spare to speke spare to spede.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Nothing ventured, nothing had - if you don't speak, you don't advance.)<\/p>\n

Heywoods version was the first time the saying appeared in print. However, language experts believe it is a variant of the 14th-century French saying, \"Qui onques rien n'enprist riens n'achieva.\"<\/p>\n

- [He who never undertook anything never achieved anything.]<\/p>\n