Wer wagt, gewinnt

Meaning: You have to take risks to succeed.

Literally: He who dares, wins

Example: “Bewirb dich einfach für die Stelle! Wer wagt, gewinnt.” — Just apply for the job! Fortune favors the bold.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, and 3 more languages

English: Fortune favors the bold
French: La fortune sourit aux audacieux (literally: Fortune smiles on the bold)
Spanish: La fortuna favorece a los audaces (literally: Fortune favors the bold)
Japanese: 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず (Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu) (literally: If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't catch its cub)
Italian: La fortuna aiuta gli audaci (literally: Fortune helps the bold)
Portuguese: A sorte protege os audazes (literally: Fortune protects the bold)
Polish: Śmiałym szczęście sprzyja (literally: Fortune favors the bold)
Turkish: Korkak bezirgân ne kâr eder ne zarar (literally: A timid merchant makes neither profit nor loss)

Origin: The bold, short counterpart of wer nicht wagt, der nicht gewinnt. Its English twin, who dares wins, is the motto of the British SAS.

Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.

Schlauberger A know-it-all smartass who never misses a chance to show off their cleverness.
Dickkopf A pig-headed, unyielding person — their skull is so thick no new idea can penetrate it.
Du bist nicht die hellste Kerze auf der Torte You're a little dim — not the smartest in the room.

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