It is better to live one year as a tiger than 50 years as a lamb. Confucius.
The journey of 1000 miles starts with one footstep. Probably also Confucius

.
If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was. (As apposed to the satirical "if it doesn't, shoot it"

).
Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far. Theodore Roosevelt.
Plummeting is not a good plan. (Vertical rescue operator in training

)
If the only voice you can hear is your own, shut up! Kitty Flanagan.
The amount you learn is inversely proportional to the amount of time your mouth is open.
Apologies if I've misquoted any... just going from memory.
Al.