He who does not risk will never drink champagne.

This saying is commonly treated as a Russian proverb and is often cited in discussions of boldness, enterprise, and the willingness to accept uncertainty for the sake of reward. In Russian culture it is typically framed as a piece of folk wisdom rather than a line traceable to a single author or literary work. “Champagne” functions as a recognizable symbol of celebration and high-status enjoyment, so the proverb is frequently invoked in everyday speech, motivational contexts, and popular writing to justify taking a calculated chance—whether in business, personal decisions, or competitive situations—on the premise that comfort and safety rarely lead to exceptional outcomes.

The proverb asserts a simple causal link: without risk, there is no extraordinary payoff. “Champagne” stands for the pleasures of success—victory, prestige, or a life beyond mere subsistence—while “risk” names the necessary exposure to loss, embarrassment, or failure. Its force lies in its bluntness: it does not promise that risk will be rewarded, only that reward is impossible without it. Read more carefully, it endorses not recklessness but the acceptance of uncertainty as the price of meaningful gain, challenging the listener to weigh security against aspiration.