Carlos A. Urbizo illustrates the paradox of life — do you want to be in the limelight, or do you want to be in the background - “Stoop and you’ll be stepped on; stand tall and you’ll be shot at.”

Charles Caleb Colton has another outlook . “There are two modes of establishing our reputation: to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the former, because it will invariably be accompanied by the latter.” Obviously what he is saying is that you cannot get both by going after the second.

Ralph Waldo Emerson encourages us to go for it. “Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” and Dolores Ibarruri feel that no matter what, make a stand. ” It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees.”