proverb · Words worth keeping
Nothing venture nothing win.
Nothing venture nothing win.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Some worthwhile gains require taking a chance. Refusing every risk can prevent a success that depends on making an attempt.
What the words are saying
Venture means stepping into an uncertain undertaking; win means gaining something from it. The proverb encourages action when fear of failure has become a reason never to try. Applying for an opportunity, sharing a piece of work or learning a difficult skill can expose someone to disappointment while also making progress possible. The saying does not establish that any particular gamble is wise. Its useful question is whether the possible benefit justifies a risk you can bear, rather than whether uncertainty can be eliminated before beginning.
Everyday example
A designer submits a portfolio to a competitive exhibition, accepting that rejection is possible rather than ruling herself out in advance.
When to use it
Use it to encourage a considered attempt despite a manageable risk of failure.
What it does not mean
Not every venture is worth its cost; assess likely harm and practical limits before acting.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 1699 · Venture
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- English