Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

Colin Powell (1937 - )

The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum¹.

Havelock Ellis (1859 - 1939)

The optimist² proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist³ fears this is true.

James Branch Cabell (1879 - 1958), The Silver Stallion, 1926

The reason we all like to think so well of others is that we are all afraid for ourselves. The basis of optimism is sheer terror.

Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891

I find nothing more depressing than optimism.

Paul Fussell

The point of living and of being an optimist, is to be foolish enough to believe the best is yet to come.

Peter Ustinov (1921 - 2004)

Many an optimist has become rich by buying out a pessimist.

Robert G. Allen

For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else.

Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965), speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet, London, November 9, 1954

An optimist is the human personification of spring.

Susan J. Bissonette