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
To hear complaints is tiresome to the miserable and the happy.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
It is a general popular error to suppose the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
There is nothing sadder than a young pessimist.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
It is wisdom in prosperity, when all is as thou wouldn’t have it, to fear and suspect the worst.
—Desiderius Erasmus (c.1469–1536) Dutch Humanist, Scholar
Pessimism is, in brief, playing the sure game. You cannot lose at it; you may gain. It is the only view of life in which you can never be disappointed. Having reckoned what to do in the worst possible circumstances, when better arise, as they may, life becomes child’s play.
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) English Novelist, Poet
Our present time is indeed a criticizing and critical time, hovering between the wish, and the inability to believe. Our complaints are like arrows shot up into the air at no target: and with no purpose they only fall back upon our own heads and destroy ourselves.
—William Temple (1881–1944) English Theologian, Archbishop
Constant complaint is the poorest sort of pay for all the comforts we enjoy.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
I don’t believe in pessimism. If something doesn’t come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it’s going to rain, it will.
—Clint Eastwood (b.1930) American Film Director, Film Producer, Film Actor
The squeaking wheel doesn’t always get the grease. Sometimes it gets replaced.
—Unknown
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
Realize that if you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it.
—Anthony J. D’Angelo
When complaints are freely heard, deeply considered and speedily reformed, then is the utmost bound of civil liberty attained that wise men look for.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
You’ve got to take the bitter with the sour.
—Samuel Goldwyn (1879–1974) Polish-born American Film Producer, Businessperson
A pessimist is a man who has been compelled to live with an optimist.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
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
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 Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
Pessimism, when you get used to it, is just as agreeable as optimism.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
I believe in grumbling; it is the politest form of fighting known.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
One has to have the courage of one’s pessimism.
—Ian McEwan British Novelist, Short-Story Writer
The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
—Unknown
Don’t complain that you are not getting what you want, Just be glad you are not getting what you deserve!
—Unknown
We all agree that pessimism is a mark of superior intellect.
—John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-Born American Economist
Man, at least when educated, is a pessimist. He believes it safer not to reflect on his achievements; Jove is known to strike such people down.
—John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-Born American Economist
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
What do sad complaints avail if the offense is not cut down by punishment.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
—William Lonsdale Watkinson (1838–1925) English Congregationalist Theologian, Author
Pessimism is as American as apple pie. Frozen apple pie with a slice of processed cheese.
—George Will (b.1941) American Columnist, Author, Commentator
Intelligence is nothing without delight.
—Paul Claudel (1868–1955) French Poet, Essayist, Dramatist
Cynicism is intellectual dandyism.
—George Meredith (1828–1909) British Novelist, Poet, Critic
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