# Quotes about optimism

- Quotes: 59
- Authors: 51
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism
- JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.json

## Quotes

> His specialty was to succeed in nothing... He was poor, but his fund of good humor was inexhaustible. He soon reached the last sou but never the last burst of laughter. When met by adversity, he saluted that acquaintance cordially, he patted catastrophes on the back; he was so familiar with fatality as to call it by its nick-name.

[Victor Hugo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo.md) · [Les Miserables](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables/his-specialty-was.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> If this is the best of all possible worlds, what are the others?

[Voltaire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire.md) · [Candide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/if-this-is-the-best.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> “Accentuate the positive, not the negative. It sounds so trite, but a lot of people will pick out something to complain about, rather than say, ‘Hey, that was great!’ It’s not hard to find great stuff if you look.”

[Betty White](https://www.leafyquotes.com/betty-white.md) · [If You Ask Me](https://www.leafyquotes.com/betty-white/if-you-ask-me.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/betty-white/if-you-ask-me/accentuate-the-positive.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> “Well,” Eddie said, “What was behind Door Number One wasn’t so hot, and what was behind Door Number Two was even worse, so now, instead of quitting like sane people, we’re going to go right ahead and check out Door Number Three. The way things have been going, I think it’s likely to be something like Godzilla or Ghidra the Three-Headed Monster, but I’m an optimist. I’m still hoping for the stainless steel cookware.”

[Stephen King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king.md) · [The Drawing Of The Three](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king/the-drawing-of-the-three.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king/the-drawing-of-the-three/well-eddie-said.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly kind companion; and so let all young persons take their choice.

[William Makepeace Thackeray](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-makepeace-thackeray.md) · [Vanity Fair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-makepeace-thackeray/vanity-fair.md) · p. 12 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-makepeace-thackeray/vanity-fair/the-world-is-a-looking-glass.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Just once I’d like to be rewarded for my optimistic view of humanity.

[James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [Nemesis Games](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/nemesis-games.md) · p. 18 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/nemesis-games/just-once-id-like.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> “Still. Maybe some good can come out of it.”
>
> “I admire your psychotic optimism.”

[James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [Cibola Burn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/cibola-burn.md) · p. 309 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/cibola-burn/still-maybe-some.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Be an optimist! It’s the only way to live.

[Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Summertide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/summertide.md) · p. 151 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/summertide/be-an-optimist.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> No one doubts that an ordinary man can get on with this world: but we demand not strength enough to get on with it, but strength enough to get it on. Can he hate it enough to change it, and yet love it enough to think it worth changing? Can he look up at its colossal good without once feeling acquiescence? Can he look up at its colossal evil without once feeling despair? Can he, in short, be at once not only a pessimist and an optimist, but a fanatical pessimist and a fanatical optimist? Is he enough of a pagan to die for the world, and enough of a Christian to die to it? In this combination, I maintain, it is the rational optimist who fails, the irrational optimist who succeeds. He is ready to smash the whole universe for the sake of itself.

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Orthodoxy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy/no-one-doubts.md)

Topics: [change](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/change.md), [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> When I was a boy there were two curious men running about who were called the optimist and the pessimist. I constantly used the words myself, but I cheerfully confess that I never had any very special idea of what they meant. The only thing which might be considered evident was that they could not mean what they said; for the ordinary verbal explanation was that the optimist thought this world as good as it could be, while the pessimist thought it as bad as it could be. Both these statements being obviously raving nonsense, one had to cast about for other explanations. An optimist could not mean a man who thought everything right and nothing wrong. For that is meaningless; it is like calling everything right and nothing left. Upon the whole, I came to the conclusion that the optimist thought everything good except the pessimist, and that the pessimist thought everything bad, except himself.

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Orthodoxy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy/when-i-was.md)

Topics: [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Your worst pessimist is, after all, an optimist with regard to himself.

[Abraham Cahan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/abraham-cahan.md) · [The Rise of David Levinsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/abraham-cahan/the-rise-of-david-levinsky.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/abraham-cahan/the-rise-of-david-levinsky/your-worst-pessimist.md)

Topics: [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Each of us has a particular way of looking at the world, of interpreting events and the actions of people around us. This is our attitude, and it determines much of what happens to us in life. If our attitude is essentially fearful, we see the negative in every circumstance. We stop ourselves from taking chances. We blame others for mistakes and fail to learn from them. If we feel hostile or suspicious, we make others feel such emotions in our presence. We sabotage our career and relationships by unconsciously creating the circumstances we fear the most. The human attitude, however, is malleable. By making our attitude more positive, open, and tolerant of other people, we can spark a different dynamic—we can learn from adversity, create opportunities out of nothing, and draw people to us. We must explore the limits of our willpower and how far it can take us.

[Robert Greene](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-greene.md) · [The Laws of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-greene/the-laws-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-greene/the-laws-of-human-nature/each-of-us-has.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> The tyranny of positivity is the cultural message that all of us are sent that no matter what is happening, we should be putting on a happy face, that we should be soldiering through it and whistling cheerfully. I call it the tyranny of positivity and some people call it toxic positivity. What it really is, is a cultural directive that says, Whatever you do, don't tell the truth of what it's like to be alive.

[Susan Cain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain.md) · [Bittersweet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/bittersweet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/bittersweet/the-tyranny-of-positivity.md)

Topics: [honesty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/honesty.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> What men and women need is encouragement. Their natural resisting powers should be strengthened, not weakened.... Instead of always harping on a man's faults, tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to him his better self, his REAL self that can dare and do and win out!... The influence of a beautiful, helpful, hopeful character is contagious, and may revolutionize a whole town.... People radiate what is in their minds and in their hearts. If a man feels kindly and obliging, his neighbors will feel that way, too, before long. But if he scolds and scowls and criticizes — his neighbors will return scowl for scowl, and add interest!... When you look for the bad, expecting it, you will get it. When you know you will find the good — you will get that.... Tell your son Tom you KNOW he'll be glad to fill that woodbox — then watch him start, alert and interested!

[Eleanor H. Porter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eleanor-h-porter.md) · [Pollyanna](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eleanor-h-porter/pollyanna.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eleanor-h-porter/pollyanna/what-men-and.md)

Topics: [kindness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/kindness.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Plan for the worst, expect the best.

[David Gemmell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell.md) · [The Swords of Night and Day](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/the-swords-of-night-and-day.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/the-swords-of-night-and-day/plan-for-the.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Unreasoning optimism is a fundamental element of childishness.

[N. K. Jemisin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin.md) · [The Kingdom Of Gods](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-kingdom-of-gods.md) · p. 237 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-kingdom-of-gods/unreasoning-optimism-is-a-fundamental.md)

Topics: [childhood](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/childhood.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> I have always fallen in love fast and without measuring risks. I have a tendency not only to see the best in everyone, but to assume that everyone is emotionally capable of reaching his highest potential. I have fallen in love more times than I care to count with the highest potential of a man, rather than with the man himself, and I have hung on to the relationship for a long time (sometimes far too long) waiting for the man to ascend to his own greatness. Many times in romance I have been a victim of my own optimism.

[Elizabeth Gilbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/elizabeth-gilbert.md) · [Eat Pray Love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/elizabeth-gilbert/eat-pray-love.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/elizabeth-gilbert/eat-pray-love/i-have-always.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md), [falling in love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/falling-in-love.md)

> “We just need to be more optimistic.”
>
> “Being optimistic does not change facts.”

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [Words of Radiance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/words-of-radiance.md) · p. 455 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/words-of-radiance/we-just-need.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> “I suppose an optimistic comment wouldn’t do much good right now.”
>
> Galladon smiled slightly. “Definitely not—you optimists just can’t understand that a depressed person doesn’t want you to try and cheer them up. It makes us sick.”

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [Elantris](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/elantris.md) · p. 324 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/elantris/i-suppose-an-optimistic.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md), [depression](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/depression.md)

> Maybe it's fate that Hound ate the map. Maybe we'll discover something wonderful while we're lost.

[Jeanne Birdsall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jeanne-birdsall.md) · [The Penderwicks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jeanne-birdsall/the-penderwicks.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jeanne-birdsall/the-penderwicks/maybe-its-fate.md)

Topics: [fate](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fate.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> —Why can I never visualize things turning out better as clearly as I can visualize the catastrophes I scraped past by a hair? “Everything for the best in the best of all possible worlds!” Hah!

[John Brunner](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-brunner.md) · [Quicksand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-brunner/quicksand.md) · p. 40 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-brunner/quicksand/why-can-i-never.md)

Topics: [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> You just have to decide whether you are Tigger or an Eeyore. You have to be clear where you stand on the Tigger/Eeyore debate.

[Randy Pausch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch.md) · [The Last Lecture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture/you-just-have.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> "You see, you are an optimist and live on hope. I am a pessimist and live on experience."

[Malcolm Bradbury](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-bradbury.md) · [Stepping Westward](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-bradbury/stepping-westward.md) · p. 352 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-bradbury/stepping-westward/you-see-you.md)

Topics: [experience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/experience.md), [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> But I’ve suddenly changed my mind and turned more optimistic about our cosmic significance. Why? Because I’ve come to believe that advanced evolved life is very rare, yet has huge future potential, making our place in space and time remarkably significant.

[Max Tegmark](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-tegmark.md) · [Our Mathematical Universe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-tegmark/our-mathematical-universe.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-tegmark/our-mathematical-universe/but-ive-suddenly.md)

Topics: [the universe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-universe.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Optimism is the first cousin of love, and it's exactly like love in three ways; it's pushy, it has no real sense of humor and it turns up where you least expect it.

[Gregory David Roberts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts.md) · [Shantaram](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram/optimism-is-the.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> I respect man for what he has to go through in life, and sometimes for how he does it, but he has changed little since he began to pretend he was civilized, and the same thing may be said about our society. That is how I feel, but having made that confession let me say, as you may have guessed, that I am somewhat of a meliorist. That is to say, I act as an optimist because I find I cannot act at all, as a pessimist. One often feels helpless in the face of the confusion of these times, such a mass of apparently uncontrollable events and experiences to live through, attempt to understand, and if at all possible, give order to; but one must not withdraw from the task if he has some small thing to offer – he does so at the risk of diminishing his humanity. (Bibikov to Yakov)

[Bernard Malamud](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-malamud.md) · [The Fixer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-malamud/the-fixer.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-malamud/the-fixer/i-respect-man.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> On a recent Sunday evening, Theo came up with an aphorism: the bigger you think, the crappier it looks. Asked to explain he said, "When we go on about the big things, the political situation, global warming, world poverty, it all looks really terrible, with nothing getting better, nothing to look forward to. But when I think small, closer in – you know, a girl I've just met, or this song we're going to do with Chas, or snowboarding next month, then it looks great. So this is going to be my motto – think small."

[Ian McEwan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ian-mcewan.md) · [Saturday](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ian-mcewan/saturday.md) · p. 34 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ian-mcewan/saturday/on-a-recent.md)

Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> For a young man, sleep is a sure solvent of distress. There whirls not for him in the night any so hideous phantasmagoria as will not become, in the clarity of the next morning, a spruce procession for him to lead. Brief the vague horror of his awakening; memory sweeps back to him, and he sees nothing dreadful after all. "Why not?" is the sun’s bright message to him, and "Why not indeed?" his answer.”

[Max Beerbohm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-beerbohm.md) · [Zuleika Dobson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-beerbohm/zuleika-dobson.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-beerbohm/zuleika-dobson/for-a-young.md)

Topics: [youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/youth.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md), [sleep](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sleep.md)

> If the Easter Islanders couldn't solve their milder local problems in the past, how can the modern world hope to solve its big global problems? People who get depressed at such thoughts often then ask me, “Jared, are you optimistic or pessimistic about the world’s future?” I answer, “I am a cautious optimist.” By that, I mean that, on the one hand, I acknowledge the seriousness of the problems facing us. If we don’t make a determined effort to solve them, and if we don’t succeed at that effort, the world as a whole within the next few decades will face a declining standard of living, or perhaps something worse. That’s the reason why I decided to devote most of my career efforts at this stage of my life to convincing people that our problems have to be taken seriously and won’t go away otherwise. On the other hand, we shall be able to solve our problems – if we choose to do so.

[Jared Diamond](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jared-diamond.md) · [Collapse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jared-diamond/collapse.md) · p. 521 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jared-diamond/collapse/if-the-easter.md)

Topics: [ecology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ecology.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Had optimism run that far ahead of common sense?

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: In at the Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death.md) · p. 351 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death/had-optimism-run.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Chester wasn’t about to commit the sin of optimism. Justifiably or not, he feared it would jinx everything.

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: Drive to the East](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east.md) · p. 501 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east/chester-wasnt-about.md)

Topics: [superstitions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/superstitions.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Dowling had long since abandoned optimism along with the other illusions of his youth.

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: Drive to the East](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east.md) · p. 138 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east/dowling-had-long.md)

Topics: [youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/youth.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> When Cassius was optimistic about the way the fighting was going, he was often wrong; when he was pessimistic, he was always right.

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [The Great War: Walk in Hell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/the-great-war-walk-in-hell.md) · p. 101 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/the-great-war-walk-in-hell/when-cassius-was.md)

Topics: [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> He is not, as he forcibly remarks, ‘one of those fortunate men who, if they were to dive under one side of a barge stark–naked, would come up on the other with a new suit of clothes on, and a ticket for soup in the waistcoat–pocket:’ neither is he one of those, whose spirit has been broken beyond redemption by misfortune and want. He is just one of the careless, good–for–nothing, happy fellows, who float, cork–like, on the surface, for the world to play at hockey with: knocked here, and there, and everywhere: now to the right, then to the left, again up in the air, and anon to the bottom, but always reappearing and bounding with the stream buoyantly and merrily along.

[Charles Dickens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens.md) · [Sketches by Boz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/sketches-by-boz.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/sketches-by-boz/he-is-not.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> So many things are possible just as long as you don't know they're impossible.

[Norton Juster](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norton-juster.md) · [The Phantom Tollbooth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norton-juster/the-phantom-tollbooth.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norton-juster/the-phantom-tollbooth/so-many-things.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> In my life I had come to realize that when things were going very well indeed it was just the time to anticipate trouble. And, conversely, I learned from pleasant experience that at the most despairing crisis, when all looked sour beyond words, some delightful "break" was apt to lurk just around the corner.

[Amelia Earhart](https://www.leafyquotes.com/amelia-earhart.md) · [Last Flight](https://www.leafyquotes.com/amelia-earhart/last-flight.md) · p. 70 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/amelia-earhart/last-flight/in-my-life.md)

Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Communists are the last optimists.

[Nadine Gordimer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nadine-gordimer.md) · [Burger's Daughter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nadine-gordimer/burgers-daughter.md) · p. 42 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nadine-gordimer/burgers-daughter/communists-are-the.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md), [communism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/communism.md)

> As he mused about these things, he realised that he had to choose between thinking of himself as the poor victim of a thief and as an adventurer in quest of his treasure.

[Paulo Coelho](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho.md) · [The Alchemist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/the-alchemist.md) · p. 44 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/the-alchemist/as-he-mused.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Transforming negative into positive, you work with whatever comes your way. If others throw bricks at you, build a house. If they throw tomatoes, start a vegetable stand. You can often change a situation simply by changing your attitude toward it.

[Benjamin Hoff](https://www.leafyquotes.com/benjamin-hoff.md) · [The Te of Piglet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/benjamin-hoff/the-te-of-piglet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/benjamin-hoff/the-te-of-piglet/transforming-negative-into.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.

[Václav Havel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/vaclav-havel.md) · [Disturbing the Peace](https://www.leafyquotes.com/vaclav-havel/disturbing-the-peace.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/vaclav-havel/disturbing-the-peace/hope-is-definitely.md)

Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> I'm broke, but I'm happy.
>
> I'm poor, but I'm kind.
>
> I'm short, but I'm healthy, yeah.
>
> I'm high, but I'm grounded.
>
> I'm sane, but I'm overwhelmed.
>
> I'm lost, but I'm hopeful, baby.And what it all comes down to
>
> Is that everything's gonna be fine, fine, fine.
>
> 'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
>
> And the other one is givin' a high five.

[Alanis Morissette](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alanis-morissette.md) · [Jagged Little Pill](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alanis-morissette/jagged-little-pill.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alanis-morissette/jagged-little-pill/im-broke-but.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Michael was so stubbornly optimistic that it made him stupid sometimes, or at least painful to be around.

[Kim Stanley Robinson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson.md) · [Green Mars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/green-mars.md) · p. 510 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/green-mars/michael-was-so-stubbornly.md)

Topics: [stupidity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stupidity.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.

[Nelson Mandela](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nelson-mandela.md) · [Long Walk to Freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nelson-mandela/long-walk-to-freedom.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nelson-mandela/long-walk-to-freedom/i-am-fundamentally.md)

Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> an optimist is a guy
>
> that has never had
>
> much experience

[Don Marquis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/don-marquis.md) · [Archy and Mehitabel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/don-marquis/archy-and-mehitabel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/don-marquis/archy-and-mehitabel/an-optimist-is-a-guy.md)

Topics: [experience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/experience.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> oh i should worry and fret
>
> death and i will coquette
>
> there s a dance in the old dame yet
>
> toujours gai toujours gai

[Don Marquis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/don-marquis.md) · [Archy and Mehitabel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/don-marquis/archy-and-mehitabel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/don-marquis/archy-and-mehitabel/oh-i-should.md)

Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> The future is better than the past. Despite the crepehangers, romanticists, and anti-intellectuals, the world steadily grows better because the human mind, applying itself to environment, makes it better. With hands...with tools...with horse sense and science and engineering.

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md) · [The Door into Summer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/the-door-into-summer.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/the-door-into-summer/the-future-is-better.md)

Topics: [the future](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-future.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing. Ultimately, after endlessly repeated rebuffs, it succeeds. This is one of the few points in which it may be optimistic about the future of mankind, but in itself it signifies not a little.

[Sigmund Freud](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sigmund-freud.md) · [The Future of an Illusion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sigmund-freud/the-future-of-an-illusion.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sigmund-freud/the-future-of-an-illusion/the-voice-of-the.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> To be positive at all times is to ignore all that is important, sacred or valuable. To be negative at all times is to be threatened by ridiculousness and instant discredibility. [p. 18]

[Kurt Cobain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-cobain.md) · [Journals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-cobain/journals.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-cobain/journals/to-be-positive.md)

Topics: [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> My second wife had left me on the grounds that I was too pessimistic for an optimist to live with.

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Cat's Cradle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle/my-second-wife.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Optimism, it is said, is predictive of success. ...It can also be predictive of failure. Optimistic people... take more risks as they are overconfident of the about the odds; those who win show up among the rich and famous, others fail and disappear from the analysis.

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb.md) · [Fooled by Randomness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/fooled-by-randomness.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/fooled-by-randomness/optimism-it-is-said.md)

Topics: [success and failure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/success-and-failure.md), [risk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/risk.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> We have fought two wars to end war. In 1976, the nations of this world set aside the same amount of money for its starving children as the lavished on armaments every two hours. Can any right-minded man afford to be a pessimist? That was a luxury for easier days.

[Peter Ustinov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-ustinov.md) · [Dear Me](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-ustinov/dear-me.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-ustinov/dear-me/we-have-fought.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> I am an optimist, unrepentant and militant. After all, in order not to be a fool, an optimist must know what a sad place the world can be. It is only the pessimist who finds this out anew every day.

[Peter Ustinov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-ustinov.md) · [Dear Me](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-ustinov/dear-me.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-ustinov/dear-me/i-am-an-optimist.md)

Topics: [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Let sanguine healthy-mindedness do its best with its strange power of living in the moment and ignoring and forgetting, still the evil background is really there to be thought of, and the skull will grin in at the banquet.

[William James](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-james.md) · [The Varieties of Religious Experience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-james/the-varieties-of-religious-experience.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-james/the-varieties-of-religious-experience/let-sanguine-healthy-mindedness.md)

Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> I do hereby and forever abandon abandoning all hope. Honestly, I give up on giving up. I'm just not cut out to be some hopeless, disillusioned wretch with no aspirations for the rest of the eternity, sprawled catatonic in my own feces on a cold stone floor. In all probability the Human Genome Project will, someday, find that I carry some recessive gene for optimism, because despite all my best efforts I still can't scrape together even a couple of days of hopelessness. Future scientists would call it Pollyanna Syndrome, and if forced to guess, I'd say that mine has been a way-long case of history chasing rainbows.

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk.md) · [Damned](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/damned.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/damned/i-do-hereby.md)

Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> People ask me, "Do you have optimism about the world, about how terrible it is?" And I say, "Yes, it's great the way it is" … I had the wonderful privilege of sitting face to face with [a Hindu guru] and the first thing he said to me was "Do you have a question?", cause the teacher always answers questions... I said, "Yes, I have a question." I said, " Since in Hindu thinking all the universe is divine, a manifestation of divinity itself, how can we say no to anything in the world? How can we say no to brutality to stupidity to vulgarity to thoughtlessness?" And he said, "For you and me, you must say yes." Well, I learned from my friends who were students of his that that happened to be the first question he asked his guru, and we had a wonderful conversation for an hour there.

[Joseph Campbell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-campbell.md) · [The Power of Myth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-campbell/the-power-of-myth.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-campbell/the-power-of-myth/people-ask-me-do-you.md)

Topics: [acceptance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/acceptance.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Where one person sees cause of rejoicing, another sees only reason for despair. Pray that you are the former.

[Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune/where-one-person.md)

Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Life wouldn't be worth living if I worried over the future as well as the present. When things are at their worst I find something always happens.

[William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [Of Human Bondage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage/life-wouldnt-be-worth.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> I know every numbskull will babble on about "black man," "maneater," "chance," and "retrospective interpretation," in order to banish something terribly inconvenient that might sully the familiar picture of childhood innocence. Ah, these good, efficient, healthy-minded people, they always remind me of those optimistic tadpoles who bask in a puddle in the sun, in the shallowest of waters, crowding together and amiably wriggling their tails, totally unaware that the next morning the puddle will have dried up and left them stranded.

[Carl Jung](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-jung.md) · [Memories, Dreams, Reflections](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-jung/memories-dreams-reflections.md) · p. 14 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-jung/memories-dreams-reflections/i-know-every.md)

Topics: [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md), [naivety](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/naivety.md)

> Brennan was an optimist. He didn’t expect to be caught.

[Larry Niven](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven.md) · [Protector](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/protector.md) · p. 16 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/protector/brennan-was-an-optimist.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)