Arthur Schopenhauer Quote

Optimism is not only a false but also a pernicious doctrine, for it presents life as a desirable state and man's happiness as its aim and object. Starting from this, everyone then believes he has the most legitimate claim to happiness and enjoyment. If, as usually happens, these do not fall to his lot, he believes that he suffers an injustice, in fact that he misses the whole point of his existence.


The Essential Schopenhauer: Key Selections from The World As Will and Representation and Other Works (ed. Harper Collins, 2010) - ISBN: 9780062036247


Optimism is not only a false but also a pernicious doctrine, for it presents life as a desirable state and man's happiness as its aim and object....

Optimism is not only a false but also a pernicious doctrine, for it presents life as a desirable state and man's happiness as its aim and object....

Optimism is not only a false but also a pernicious doctrine, for it presents life as a desirable state and man's happiness as its aim and object....

Optimism is not only a false but also a pernicious doctrine, for it presents life as a desirable state and man's happiness as its aim and object....