Trying isn't torture, and asking does no harm.

What it means

The cost of an attempt is usually small. The worst a question can bring is a no. Try it, ask it, and find out.

The source

"Trying isn't torture, and asking does no harm." This Russian proverb is recorded in Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Boldness — Daring — Cowardice" («Смелость — Отвага — Трусость»). Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

"Попытка не пытка (не шутка), а спрос не беда."

Original Russian, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Boldness — Daring — Cowardice" («Смелость — Отвага — Трусость»). Text read at ru.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "Trying isn't torture, and asking does no harm." mean?

The cost of an attempt is usually small. The worst a question can bring is a no. Try it, ask it, and find out.

Who said "Trying isn't torture, and asking does no harm."?

Russian proverb. Source: Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Boldness — Daring — Cowardice" («Смелость — Отвага — Трусость»).

What is the original Russian?

Попытка не пытка (не шутка), а спрос не беда. Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Trying isn't torture, and asking does no harm." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Trying isn't torture, and asking does no harm." (Russian proverb, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Boldness — Daring — Cowardice" («Смелость — Отвага — Трусость»), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/trying-isnt-torture-and-asking-does-no-harm