The meaning and origin of the expression: Nothing ventured, nothing gained

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

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.