I don't think I agree with this quote. It is hard to take risks without subjecting others to those risks. For example, a man might decide to give up a secure job and start a business. If he fails he risks his wife's and children's welfare along with his own. Maybe the quote should be: A life for a single man without challenges and risks is not worth living. However, getting married is taking one of the most risky steps it is possible to take it one's lifetime. And we have all heard that there is a fifty-fifty chance of winning in that serious game. As far as challenges are concerned, I would want to qualify that by saying: A life without worthwhile challenges is not worth living. I might go for that, but I don't admire people who want to climb Mt. Everest or sail a boat solo around the world just to see if they can do it. People who risk their lives for no practical purpose must not think they have much to offer to humanity by remaining alive. Lots of people take risks in the stock market, and lots of them suffer financially and emotionally. Very good question!

I personally enjoy a good challenge, but there is a lot to be said for the peace that comes to a life with a fewer problems.  When I look at some of the celebrity suicides out there, people with complete financial freedom and the world at their fingertips, I wonder if the lack of challenge and risk in life is what drove them over the edge.

Each person is challenged in different ways according to his/her abilities, likes, and desires. I think humans are natural creators and we need to feel like we are useful to someone or something for walking this earth. I think that humans have a great need to feel like they are living up to their potential; but then again, there are those who are perfectly happy with sitting on the fence in every area of life. Some might say that the lack of activity that results in boredom is a sign that one's life is peaceful and fulfilled because specific goals have already been met. Either way, this issue is probably best defined on an individual basis rather than be deemed a clear blanket statement that applies to one and all.

I think that challenge is more important than risk.  That may just be my feeling as I get older, though.

Many of the things that are most rewarding in life are challenging.  Can I get better at sport X?  Can I learn this new language?  Can I be successful in this new job?  All of this is challenging and all of it forces us to grow constantly.  Without challenges we would stagnate.

The statement, "A life without challenge and risk is not worth living", is true to a certain extent for most people. However, some people are quite happy to have challenge-free and risk-free lives because of fears and other concerns they may have that are particular to them.

To say that it is not worth it for them to live life like this is too sweeping of a statement. I certainly enjoy challenges in life, especially as concerns my career. I also enjoy taking "calculated" risks to reap certain rewards. Haphazard risks without thinking of the consequences can certainly come back to bite a person and make their life "not worth living" to a certain extent because of major tragedy that has resulted.

Healthy challenges and risk designed and acted upon to further one's growth as a person, physically, intellectually, and spiritually, are definitely something to undertake. This does make life more exciting, creative, productive and plain old fun.

I think that a life without risk would be boring.  Risk is the spice of life.  It makes life more interesting.  If you never took a risk, you would never accomplish anything.  You would never be in love or go to school or get a job.  Life involves risk.  You may not succeed, but you never will succeed in anything if you never try.