A Quote by Robert Mueller

No one has ever been able to convince me that optimism is not preferable to pessimism.

Robert Mueller

Quote Topics

Able Been Convince Ever Me Optimism Pessimism

Quote Author

Robert Mueller
American - Public Servant
Born: August 7, 1944

Some people argue against both optimism and pessimism in favor of so-called realistic thinking. They distrust optimism on the grounds that it causes us to sugercoat problems, discount risks, and exaggerate the upside. Pessimism, on the other hand, is criticized as too downbeat, de-energizing, and generally damaging in its impact. This crown prefers realism as the neutral and objective middle ground.

Price Pritchett

Bull markets are born on pessimism, grown on skepticism, mature on optimism and die on euphoria. The time of maximum pessimism is the best time to buy, and the time of maximum optimism is the best time to sell.

John Templeton

There's probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism.

Jim Leach

Nietzsche inveighs against every sort of historical optimism; but he energetically repudiates the ordinary pessimism, which is the result of degenerate or enfeebled instincts of decadence. He preaches with youthful enthusiasm the triumph of a tragic culture, introduced by an intrepid rising generation, in which the spirit of ancient Greece might be born again. He rejects the pessimism of Schopenhauer, for he already abhors all renunciation; but he seeks a pessimism of healthiness, one derived from strength, from exuberant power, and he believes he has found it in the Greeks.

Georg Brandes

I have people ask me if I'm going to convince my daughters to be Democrats, and I say, 'I have yet to convince my daughters to close a door.' I don't how in the world I would ever convince them to be in a political affiliation.

James Carville

I tend toward the pessimistic end of the spectrum, and unfortunately there's little in human history to convince me that pessimism is unwarranted.

Ron Currie Jr.

In optimism there is magic. In pessimism there is nothing.

Esther Hicks

Pessimism of the spirit; optimism of the will.

Antonio Gramsci

Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.

William James

I have about an equal amount of optimism and pessimism.

Carey Price

Pessimism, when you get used to it, is just as agreeable as optimism.

Arnold Bennett

Sometimes pessimism or optimism gets popular, and it's contagious.

Edward C. Prescott

I'm a pessimist. But I think I'd describe my pessimism as broken-hearted optimism.

Ellen Ullman

The most common cause of low prices is pessimism - some times pervasive, some times specific to a company or industry. We want to do business in such an environment, not because we like pessimism but because we like the prices it produces. It's optimism that is the enemy of the rational buyer.