Never complain. Never explain.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
When a person finds themselves predisposed to complaining about how little they are regarded by others, let them reflect how little they have contributed to the happiness of others.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Pessimism is an excuse for not trying and a guarantee to a personal failure.
—Bill Clinton (b.1946) American Head of State, Lawyer, Public Speaker
Do not sit long with a sad friend. When you go to a garden do you look at the weeds? Spend more time with the roses and jasmines.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
One has to have the courage of one’s pessimism.
—Ian McEwan British Novelist, Short-Story Writer
A pessimist is a man who has been compelled to live with an optimist.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.
—George Will (b.1941) American Columnist, Journalist, Writer
It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
—William Lonsdale Watkinson
There is nothing sadder than a young pessimist.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
No good deed goes unpunished.
—Clare Boothe Luce (1903–87) American Playwright, Diplomat, Journalist, Diplomat, Elected Rep
Intelligence is nothing without delight.
—Paul Claudel (1868–1955) French Poet, Essayist, Dramatist
Optimism doesn’t wait on facts. It deals with prospects. Pessimism is a waste of time.
—Norman Cousins (1912–1990) American Political Journalist
Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.
—Hebrew Proverb
If you keep on saying things are going to be bad, you have a good chance of being a prophet.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Children’s Books Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
The most prolific period of pessimism comes at twenty-one or thereabouts, when the first attempt is made to translate dreams into reality.
—Heywood Hale Broun (1918–2001) American Journalist, Commentator, Actor
The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer
Pessimism is only the name that men of weak nerve give to wisdom.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Cynicism is intellectual dandyism.
—George Meredith (1828–1909) British Novelist, Poet, Critic
I think a compliment ought to always precede a complaint, where one is possible, because it softens resentment and insures for the complaint a courteous and gentle reception.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Constant complaint is the poorest sort of pay for all the comforts we enjoy.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt. He said, “I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one. The grandson asked him, “Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?” The grandfather answered, “The one I feed”.
—Muriel Strode (1875–1964) American Author, Businesswoman
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Don’t complain that you are not getting what you want, Just be glad you are not getting what you deserve!
—Unknown
A pessimist is a person who has had to listen to too many optimists.
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Pessimism is as American as apple pie. Frozen apple pie with a slice of processed cheese.
—George Will (b.1941) American Columnist, Journalist, Writer
I will not be as those who spend the day in complaining of headache, and the night in drinking the wine that gives it.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The wheel that squeaks the loudest is the one that gets the grease.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Pessimism never won any battle.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader