Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive—it’s such an interesting world.
—Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874–1942) Canadian Novelist
Optimist: Person who travels on nothing from nowhere to happiness.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The basis of optimism is sheer terror.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor: to change the character of our thought.
—Lin Yutang (1895–1976) Chinese Author, Philologist
We may be pretty certain that persons whom all the world treats ill deserve the treatment they get. 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 (1811–63) English Novelist
We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
These are not dark days: these are great days—the greatest days our country has ever lived.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
It’s such an act of optimism to get through a day and enjoy it and laugh and do all that without thinking about death. What spirit human beings have!
—Gilda Radner (1946–89) American Comedian, Actress
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
—Chinese Proverb
A man is literally what he thinks.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
The optimist thinks that this is the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist knows it.
—J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904–67) American Nuclear Physicist
To make the world a friendly place, one must show it a friendly face.
—James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Writer
Act so as to elicit the best in others and thereby in thyself.
—Felix Adler (1851–1933) German-Born American Philosopher
These then are my last words to you. Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Each of us makes his own weather, determines the color of the skies in the emotional universe which he inhabits.
—Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979) American Catholic Religious Leader, Theologian
People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?
—Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022) Vietnamese Buddhist Religious Leader, Teacher, Author, Peace Activist
An optimist is a man who has never had much experience.
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
It’s better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right
—Indian Proverb
Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.
—Lady Bird Johnson (1912–2007) First Lady of the United States, Conservationist
Man is what he believes.
—Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) Russian Short-Story Writer
Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.
—Lu Xun (1881–1936) Chinese Writer
I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
Failure is impossible.
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) American Civil Rights Leader
I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can’t make it through one door, I’ll go through another door—or I’ll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present.
—Joan Rivers (1933–2014) American Comedienne, Writer
What one believes to be true either is true or becomes true within limits to be found experientially and experimentally. These limits are beliefs to be transcended.
—John Lyly (1554–1606) English Dramatist, Novelist, Writer
The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
—Colin Powell (1937–2021) American Military Leader