Talking of the danger of being mortified by rejection, when making approaches to the acquaintance of the great, I observed, “I am, however, generally for trying, ‘Nothing venture, nothing have.'” JOHNSON. “Very true, sir; but I have always been more afraid of failing, than hopeful of success.”

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic

Comment (22 Sep 1777)
    (Source)

In Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)See Heywood.