Seneca contrasts two approaches to life: bold engagement despite risks versus careful avoidance of all potential dangers. While courage doesn't guarantee longevity, excessive caution guarantees that we miss much of what makes life meaningful and fulfilling. The person who avoids all risks - emotional, creative, social, or physical - may preserve their safety but loses the opportunity for growth, connection, achievement, and joy that come from fully engaging with life. This doesn't advocate for recklessness but suggests that calculated risks are necessary for a life worth living, and that complete safety often comes at the cost of complete emptiness.