Optimism is not only a false but also a pernicious doctrine, for it presents life as a desirable … - Arthur Schopenhauer

Same topic Authors

Quote of the day

Every newspaper editor owes tribute to the devil. [Fr. , Tout faiseur de journaux doit tribut au Malin. ]

Arthur Schopenhauer

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.

Believe, Fact, Fall, Men, Starting

Same Author Quotes

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.

Beautiful, Hit, Inspirational, Life, Talent, Target

Pride is an established conviction of one’s own paramount worth in some particular respect, while vanity is the desire of rousing such a conviction in others, and it is generally accompanied by the secret hope of ultimately coming to the same conviction oneself. Pride works from within; it is the direct appreciation of oneself. Vanity is the desire to arrive at this appreciation indirectly, from without.

Appreciation, Generally, Pride, Respect, Vanity

The majority of men. . . are not capable of thinking, but only of believing, and. . . are not accessible to reason, but only to authority.

Accessible, Authority, Believe, Men, Thinking

Every miserable fool who has nothing at all of which he can be proud, adopts as a last resource pride in the nation to which he belongs; he is ready and happy to defend all its faults and follies tooth and nail, thus reimbursing himself for his own inferiority.

Fool, Pride, Racism, Ready, Tooth

It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.

Difficult, Finding Happiness, Happiness, Impossible