Played it safe

Story:
Once someone asked a farmer if he had planted wheat for the season. The farmer replied, "No. I was afraid it wouldn't rain." The man asked, "Did you plant corn?" The farmer said, "No. I was afraid that insects would eat the corn." Then the man asked, "What did you plant?" The farmer said, "Nothing. I played it safe."

Success involves taking calculated risks. 

Risk taking based on some of the factors like knowledge, training, careful study, confidence, etc,.that gives courage to act while facing fear. 

The person who is unwillingness to take risks never makes mistakes and does nothing. They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, or live. Not making the attempt is a bigger mistake than attempted and failed.