“The basis of optimism is sheer terror.”
Source: The Picture of Dorian Gray
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Oscar Wilde 812
Irish writer and poet 1854–1900Related quotes

[Wired, 2006-08-24, http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,71642-0.html, Refuse to be Terrorized, Schneier, Bruce, 2006-09-08]
Human perception of reality, risk and terrorism

“I don’t believe in optimism. I believe in optimal behavior. That’s a different thing.”
The Paris Review interview (2010)

“Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.”
Variant: Pessimism of the spirit; optimism of the will.

“Find optimism in the inevitable.”
From the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/arts/design/03kool.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Rem+Koolhaas&st=nyt&oref=slogin article on Koolhaas and Dubai appearing March 3rd, 2008. Available here: