In Paul Arden's "Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite," he reviews the importance of taking risks in life. Without taking risks, a person cannot reach their true potential. Although there is greater potential for failure when a person takes severe risks, even bordering on recklessness at times, in the long run they risk less.
The person that plays it safe risks never realizing their true potential, while also risking not knowing how to deal with failure when it comes.