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“What is hope but a feeling of optimism, a thought that says things will improve, it won’t always be bleak, there’s a way to rise above the present circumstances,” Wayne W. Dyer writes in his book There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem.
Then he adds, “Hope is an internal awareness that you do not have to suffer forever, and that somehow, somewhere there is a remedy for despair that you will come upon if you can only maintain this expectancy in your heart.” And I couldn’t agree more.
That’s why I’m sharing 100 best optimism quotes to brighten up you day and give you hope that everything will be alright.
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- “I’m not interested in blind optimism, but I’m very interested in optimism that is hard-won, that takes on darkness and then says, ‘This is not enough.’” — Colum McCann
- “Sometimes pessimism or optimism gets popular, and it’s contagious.” — Edward C. Prescott
- “There are really four ‘headlines’ for me: honesty, integrity, hard work, and what I call a ‘can-do’ attitude. You could call that ‘can-do’ attitude optimism, but it is not Pollyannaish optimism. Rather, it is a ‘we’ll figure it out’ type of mentality.” — Dylan Taylor
- “It may be that the seemingly intrinsic attraction that past time has for me is merely a desire for escapism, as I look out at the nation and world with little optimism.” — David Souter
- “What’s great about the geek spirit is that life never seems to stop us, and they never seem to kill our enthusiasm, our optimism and our hunger to experience the world. We keep our sense of humor, we protect our dignity, we talk to our friends about the experience and then we start again fresh the very next day.” — Paul Feig
- “It’s OK to stand back. But it’s also good to demonstrate that it’s fun to be involved. As long as you are willing to say, ‘This looks fun. I’d like to try this, too,’ your child will mimic your example of openness, playfulness and optimism.” — Julia Cameron
- “Movement has been one of the few constants in my life, and I always feel a great sense of optimism when I set off to a new place.” — Conor Oberst
- “Where the despair of loneliness and poverty haunts every hour, the optimism to embark on new projects cannot find a place to alight on the brain’s cortex. Poverty itself is an enormous obstacle to an enlightened and enlightening – not to say healthy – old age.” — Sherwin B. Nuland
- “Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me.” — Jack Layton
- “Optimism is the ultimate definition of a leader. A leader has to look optimistically at what is ahead while not ignoring the challenges that must be overcome. Those challenges are in government, politics, world leadership, and even in community life.” — Linda McMahon
- “With the sole exception of President Bill Clinton, whose ‘bridge to the 21st century’ evoked the vision and optimism of other great Democratic presidents of the 20th century, such as FDR and John F. Kennedy, pessimism about America’s economic future has been the hallmark of modern progressivism.” — Bernard L. Schwartz
- “We are a nation with a powerful investment in the idea of our own fundamental innocence. Our can-do optimism and ingenuity are based on the faith that we are a decent, open, and generous people. This is our identity.” — Shelby Steele
- “Optimism is infectious, and opportunity irresistible. Progress follows progress. Someone, even government, just has to get it started.” — Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
- “I instilled in my children the importance of good values in business: hard work, determination, integrity, and optimism.” — Henry Sy
- “Pessimism and optimism are slammed up against each other in my records, the tension between them is where it’s all at, it’s what lights the fire.” — Bruce Springsteen
- “In spite of our agonizing history, Native American people find much to celebrate. The songs, the dances, the culture and traditions surrounding planting and harvests, the prayers that are sent upward for healing and peace, and the welcoming of children into our families, are all reasons for us to keep moving forward with optimism.” — Deb Haaland
- “Confidence isn’t optimism or pessimism, and it’s not a character attribute. It’s the expectation of a positive outcome.” — Rosabeth Moss Kanter
- “We must return optimism to our parenting. To focus on the joys, not the hassles; the love, not the disappointments; the common sense, not the complexities.” — Fred G. Gosman
- “‘Say Hello’ was inspired by optimism.” — Nancy Wilson
- “So many people grew up with challenges, as I did. There weren’t always happy things happening to me or around me. But when you look at the core of goodness within yourself – at the optimism and hope – you realize it comes from the environment you grew up in.” — Sonia Sotomayor
- “Optimism is the foundation of courage.” — Nicholas M. Butler
- “Optimism – the doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly.” — Ambrose Bierce
- “Optimism is normal, but some fortunate people are more optimistic than the rest of us. If you are genetically endowed with an optimistic bias, you hardly need to be told that you are a lucky person – you already feel fortunate.” — Daniel Kahneman
- “There is no problem that doesn’t have some underlying need for more optimism, stamina, resilience and collaboration. And games are, I believe, the best platform we have for providing that.” — Jane McGonigal
- “There’s a kind of optimism specifically within Christianity about the world – about whose side God is on. Well, I didn’t have any of that in my background. I had physicality and chaos.” — Ta-Nehisi Coates
- “There are grounds for cautious optimism that we may now be near the end of the search for the ultimate laws of nature.” — Stephen Hawking
- “With optimism, you look upon the sunny side of things. People say, ‘Studs, you’re an optimist.’ I never said I was an optimist. I have hope because what’s the alternative to hope? Despair? If you have despair, you might as well put your head in the oven.” — Studs Terkel
- “No Christian can be a pessimist, for Christianity is a system of radical optimism.” — William Inge
- “What I’ve really learned over time is that optimism is a very, very important part of leadership.” — Bob Iger
- “Sports uplift us. It’s celebratory, gives us optimism and joy.” — Travis Kalanick
- “I am not a pessimist; to perceive evil where it exists is, in my opinion, a form of optimism.” — Roberto Rossellini
- “The spirit of hope and optimism is always there, and that’s what I think characterizes Star Trek’ in such a big way.” — Isa Briones
- “What I am against is false optimism: the notion either that things have to go well, or else that they tend to, or else that the default condition of historical trajectories is characteristically beneficial in the long-run.” — Tony Judt
- “When we adopt a dog or any pet, we know it is going to end with us having to say goodbye, but we still do it. And we do it for a very good reason: They bring so much joy and optimism and happiness. They attack every moment of every day with that attitude.” — W. Bruce Cameron
- “My favorite zone is from 1890 -1915, that zone that spans the overlap of the so-called Gilded Age and the Progressive Era. People had such a boundless sense of optimism; They felt they could do anything they wanted to do, and they went out and tried to do it.” — Erik Larson
- “I choose optimism. I hope to be a catalyst not only by providing financial resources but also by fostering a sense of possibility: encouraging top experts to collaborate across disciplines, challenge conventional thinking, and figure out ways to overcome some of the world’s hardest problems.” — Paul Allen
- “I know that through our hard work and renewed optimism – and with God’s blessings – we can secure a bright future for our children and grandchildren.” — Mike Johnson
- “I have about an equal amount of optimism and pessimism.” — Carey Price
- “In fact, I’m happy to go on record as saying that the ability to create a reality distortion field is right up there alongside optimism as an entrepreneur’s most valuable weapon.” — Marc Randolph
- “Vaudeville was characterized by sunny optimism, acts that were uplifting, cheerful, and clean. It provided a fanciful, magical escape, but after Black Friday, the tone of American entertainment changed almost overnight.” — Karen Abbott
- “Children are born with their own optimism. They have a clarity and a simplicity that we can only wish for.” — Meshell Ndegeocello
- “If you pretend to be good, the world takes you very seriously. If you pretend to be bad, it doesn’t. Such is the astounding stupidity of optimism.” — Oscar Wilde
- “Really great entrepreneurs have this very special mix of unstoppable optimism and scathing paranoia.” — Astro Teller
- “Start your diet during a period of optimism and happiness.” — Karl Lagerfeld
- “The only time I would like to see was the 20s and 30s in America because I love the music and the style and the optimism, I wanted to see New York being built. I wanted to see all that, you know.” — Billy Connolly
- “I understand the concept of optimism. But I think with me what you get is a lack of cynicism.” — Tom Hanks
- “There are so many difficult things we’re living through in the world today, so many horrible events, but we cannot let them stop us. No matter what happens, I feel you must move forward with optimism and not get totally sideswiped.” — Gloria Estefan
- “I’m a pessimist. But I think I’d describe my pessimism as broken-hearted optimism.” — Ellen Ullman
- “There’s nothing particularly wrong with being more pessimistic than optimistic. Optimism is broad-based, non-detail-oriented thinking; pessimism is detail-oriented thinking.” — David Rakoff
- “I have a real sense of optimism that we are revolutionizing the way we do politics in this country.” — Joan Blades
- “True hopefulness and optimism is what leads one to dare. It is also what lifts one back up to dare again after a failed attempt.” — Bibi Bourelly
- “There are physical characteristics which are inherited. These include things like good looks, high intelligence, physical coordination. These attributes contribute to success in life, and success in life is a determinant of optimism.” — Martin Seligman
- “Children are my favorite people, because they inspire me with their optimism and spirit.” — Dia Mirza
- “Urgent optimism is the desire to act immediately to tackle an obstacle, combined with the belief that we have a reasonable hope of success.” — Jane McGonigal
- “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” — Helen Keller
- “Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.” — William James
- “Optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable.” — Voltaire
- “I hope the millions of people I’ve touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and persevere with a positive attitude.” — Michael Jordan
- “I believe any success in life is made by going into an area with a blind, furious optimism.” — Sylvester Stallone
- “Optimism doesn’t wait on facts. It deals with prospects. Pessimism is a waste of time.” — Norman Cousins
- “There’s a lot of optimism in changing scenery, in seeing what’s down the road.” — Conor Oberst
- “I’m continually inspired by nature, and the rainbow is one of nature’s greatest optical phenomenons. The sighting of a rainbow never fails to bring a smile to people’s faces. They signify optimism and positivity: with them comes the sunshine after the rain.” — Matthew Williamson
- “Comedy is acting out optimism.” — Robin Williams
- “Optimism is the opium of the people.” — Milan Kundera
- “It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer.” — Orison Swett Marden
- “Only the really young are fearless, have the optimism, the romanticism to take unimaginable risks.” — Olivia Wilde
- “I do believe that most men live lives of quiet desperation. For despair, optimism is the only practical solution. Hope is practical. Because eliminate that and it’s pretty scary. Hope at least gives you the option of living.” — Harry Nilsson
- “I am inspired by the resilience and optimism that young people are showing, despite the challenges they face.” — Cynthia Germanotta
- “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” — Colin Powell
- “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” — Jack Layton
- “Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.” — Nicholas M. Butler
- “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.” — Vaclav Havel
- “The basis of optimism is sheer terror.” — Oscar Wilde
- “Human spirit is the ability to face the uncertainty of the future with curiosity and optimism. It is the belief that problems can be solved, differences resolved. It is a type of confidence. And it is fragile. It can be blackened by fear and superstition.” — Bernard Beckett
- “The biggest emotion in creation is the bridge to optimism.” — Brian May
“Pessimism of the spirit; optimism of the will.” — Antonio Gramsci - “Regardless of who wins, an election should be a time for optimism and fresh approaches.” — Gary Johnson
- “The optimism of a healthy mind is indefatigable.” — Margery Allingham
“Optimism leads to investment, and anything that our government can do to reinforce optimism in our economy is good.” — Mike Parson - “I have never had to face anything that could overwhelm the native optimism and stubborn perseverance I was blessed with.” — Sonia Sotomayor
- “Optimism can be relearnt.” — Marian Keyes
- “Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with a certain degree of cynicism.” — Twyla Tharp
- “There’s probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism.” — Jim Leach
- “Pessimism, when you get used to it, is just as agreeable as optimism.” — Arnold Bennett
- “What passes for optimism is most often the effect of an intellectual error.” — Raymond Aron
- “Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A world of optimism and hope. A ‘you can do it’ when things are tough.” — Richard M. DeVos
- “My optimism wears heavy boots and is loud.” — Henry Rollins
- “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.” — Lucille Ball
- “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.” — Lucille Ball<
- “These are the soul’s changes. I don’t believe in ageing. I believe in forever altering one’s aspect to the sun. Hence my optimism.” — Virginia Woolf
- “In life, an abundance of confidence gives us higher motivation, persistence, and optimism and can allow us to accomplish things we otherwise might not have undertaken.” — Whitney Tilson
- “Optimism means better than reality; pessimism means worse than reality. I’m a realist.” — Margaret Atwood
- “Many of the qualities that come so effortlessly to dogs – loyalty, devotion, selflessness, unflagging optimism, unqualified love – can be elusive to humans.” — John Grogan
- “If pessimism is despair, optimism is cowardice and stupidity. Is there any need to choose between them?” — Francis Parker Yockey
- “I don’t think you lead by pessimism and cynicism. I think you lead by optimism and enthusiasm and energy.” — Patricia Ireland
- “These days I wonder more and more why people are pessimistic when American history actually supports optimism.” — bell hooks
- “Half a century ago, Ronald Reagan, the man whose relentless optimism inspired me to enter politics, famously said that he didn’t leave the Democratic Party; the party left him. I can certainly relate. I didn’t leave the Republican Party; it left me.” — Charlie Crist
- “If I advocate cautious optimism it is not because I do not have faith in the future but because I do not want to encourage blind faith.” — Aung San Suu Kyi
- “Optimism is a kind of heart stimulant – the digitalis of failure.” — Elbert Hubbard
- “My view is that at a younger age your optimism is more and you have more imagination etc. You have less bias.” — A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
“What keeps athletes going is the optimism we are going to be able to compete again.” — Mark Cavendish - “The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- “Truth is, I’ll never know all there is to know about you just as you will never know all there is to know about me. Humans are by nature too complicated to be understood fully. So, we can choose either to approach our fellow human beings with suspicion or to approach them with an open mind, a dash of optimism and a great deal of candour.” — Tom Hanks
- “Optimism comes less easily today, not because democracy is less vigorous, but because democracy’s enemies have refined their instruments of repression.” — Ronald Reagan
- “I try to think about optimism. I try to look at the beautiful things in life.” — Dolores O’Riordan
- “We can choose to wake up and grumble all day and be bitter and angry and judge others and find satisfaction in others doing bad instead of good. Or we can we wake up with optimism and love and say, ‘Just what is this beautiful day going to bring me?’” — Margaret Trudeau
- “The most fearless hearts, the audacious dreamers, have always maintained a sense of optimism that often flies in the face of the available evidence.” — Martin O’Malley
- “Positive thinking is the notion that if you think good thoughts, things will work out well. Optimism is the feeling of thinking things will be well and be hopeful.” — Martin Seligman
- “I think in life, you have a choice. You can either be optimistic or pessimistic, and I go for the optimism.” — Jon Anderson
- “My optimism has helped me through some hard times. If you try to send out good things, good things come back to you.” — Jan Brett
- “The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum.” — Havelock Ellis
- “Qualities you need to get through medical school and residency: Discipline. Patience. Perseverance. A willingness to forgo sleep. A penchant for sadomasochism. Ability to weather crises of faith and self-confidence. Accept exhaustion as fact of life. Addiction to caffeine a definite plus. Unfailing optimism that the end is in sight.” — Khaled Hosseini
- “Good things are associated with blue, like clear days, more than singing the blues. Just the word ‘blue’ in the singular is full of optimism and positive connotation to most people.” — David Carson
- “I ceased using words like optimism and pessimism a long time ago.” — Wole Soyinka
Complement this list of best quotes about optimism with There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Wayne W. Dyer and then revisit Mother Teresa on the meaning of life.
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