Helen Keller's Quote on Taking Risks

"A man can't make a place for himself in the sun if he keeps taking refuge under the family tree." -Helen Keller

About Helen Keller

Helen Adams Keller (1880-1968) was one of the most popular American authors in the last century. She was a lecturer and a political activist. Being deaf and blind, her teacher, Anne Sullivan, worked hard and very effectively to take her out of her isolation and conquer the consequences of her disease, to eventually learn how to communicate with others and ultimately, become a prolific author. Helen Keller actually is noted for being the first person in such condition to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was also a very stark war oppositionist, besides from campaigning for other social issues such as women’s suffrage and worker’s right, among others.

Explanation

You are part of a big world, of human society, and whether you like it or not, you are or will be inevitably dependent on another. You rely on other people throughout your lives, whether it be with your family, your friends, your mentors, your acquaintances, or even with perfect strangers. While it is of course not a bad thing, you should learn to stand on your own. “Standing on the shoulders of others,” as Sir Isaac Newton put it, is one of the main reasons why people achieve greatness. But if you really want to be successful, to be great—then you should not be afraid to be on your own. Of course, there will be risks of failure, of no one to be there to catch you when you fall, but you will be stronger and more prepared for things to come. You will then achieve success and greatness greater than you could have done when you are constantly relying with others.