Unsatisfied desire is the characteristic feature of human life. That is the common fact out of which both pessimism and optimism are constructed. Dwell on the impossibility of ever getting a state of complete and permanent satisfaction with what you have, and you become a pessimist. Dwell on the opportunity for endless growth and conquest which this same fact makes possible, and you become an optimist.


The Art of Optimism as Taught by Robert Browning (ed. 1900)

William De Witt Hyde Quotes

Unsatisfied desire is the characteristic feature of human life. That is the common fact out of which both pessimism and optimism are constructed....

Unsatisfied desire is the characteristic feature of human life. That is the common fact out of which both pessimism and optimism are constructed....

Unsatisfied desire is the characteristic feature of human life. That is the common fact out of which both pessimism and optimism are constructed....

Unsatisfied desire is the characteristic feature of human life. That is the common fact out of which both pessimism and optimism are constructed....