Nothing ventured, nothing gained


What's the meaning of the phrase 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained'?

In order to achieve, you need to act and take risks.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained'?

This proverbial saying is found in John Heywood’s 1546 glossary A Dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the Prouerbes in the Englishe tongue:

Noght veter noght haue spare to speke spare to spede.
[Nothing ventured, nothing had – if you don’t speak, you don’t advance.]

Heywood appears to be the first person to print a version of this English proverb but it may be a translation of the earlier 14th century French saying “Qui onques rien n’enprist riens n’achieva.” – [He who never undertook anything never achieved anything.]

See also: the List of Proverbs.

Trend of nothing ventured in printed material over time

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained

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