“Fortune favours the bold” is the rallying cry of risk-takers everywhere — the ancient belief that luck rewards those with the courage to act. Here is what it means, its Roman origin, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its admiration for daring.
What Does “Fortune Favours the Bold” Mean?
The proverb means that those who are brave and willing to take risks are the ones most likely to succeed. Luck, it suggests, tends to smile on people who act decisively rather than those who hesitate or play it safe. It is used to urge someone to seize an opportunity, make the bold move, or take the leap — on the understanding that good fortune rarely comes to the timid.
Origin of the Proverb
The saying is a translation of the Latin audentes Fortuna iuvat, made famous by the Roman poet Virgil in his epic the Aeneid. (“Fortuna” is capitalised because she was the Roman goddess of luck.) The thought was already a Roman favourite: the playwright Terence wrote “fortes fortuna adiuvat” — “fortune helps the brave” — back in 161 BC, and Pliny the Elder is said to have quoted the line as he sailed boldly toward the erupting Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Two thousand years on, it still encourages the daring.
Examples in a Sentence
- “She quit her job to start the company everyone said was crazy — fortune favours the bold.”
- “Ask her to dance; fortune favours the bold.”
- “They made the daring bid and won the contract. Fortune favours the bold.”
Similar Proverbs
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained — you must take a risk to win a reward.
- Who dares wins — boldness is what brings victory.
- Faint heart never won fair lady — timidity achieves nothing.
- He who hesitates is lost — delay can cost you the opportunity.
For more sayings about courage and daring, see our courage proverbs and motivational sayings, or browse the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “fortune favours the bold” mean?
It means that brave people who take risks are more likely to succeed, because good luck tends to reward decisive action rather than hesitation.
Where does the proverb come from?
It translates the Latin audentes Fortuna iuvat, made famous by Virgil in the Aeneid. The Roman playwright Terence expressed the same idea in 161 BC.
Is it “favours” or “favors”?
Both are correct — “favours” is the British spelling and “favors” the American. You may also see “fortune favours the brave,” which means the same.
