“It is much more sensible to be an optimist instead of a pessimist, for if one is doomed to disappointment, why experience it in advance?”

“Don't ever become a pessimist, Ira; a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun--and neither can stop the march of events.”

Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988) American science fiction author

“[…] You see, you are an optimist and live on hope. I am a pessimist and live on experience.”

Malcolm Bradbury (1932–2000) English author and academic

“Both optimists and pessimists contribute to society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.”

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish playwright

“Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole! ”

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish writer and poet

“Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute.”

Gladys Bronwyn Stern (1890–1973) British writer

“To the question whether I am a pessimist or an optimist, I answer that my knowledge is pessimistic, but my willing and hoping are optimistic.”

Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French-German physician, theologian, musician and philosopher

“A pessimist is a man who thinks all women are bad. An optimist is one who hopes they are. ”

Chauncey Depew (1834–1928) American politician

“The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it he knows too little.”

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American author and humorist

“The optimist sees the donut, the pessimist sees the hole.”

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish writer and poet