Nuclear war is inevitable, says the pessimists; Nuclear war is impossible, says the optimists; Nuclear war is inevitable unless we make it impossible, says the realists. — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
The pessimist sees only the tunnel; the optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel; the realist sees the tunnel and the light - and the next tunnel. — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
This is a lesson mankind has not yet learned. We identify, and stratify, and treat persons largely on the basis of their accidental (physical)… — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
Character is something you forge for yourself; temperament is something you are born with and can only slightly modify. — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
Middle Age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us, one saying, 'Why not?' and the other, 'Why bother?' — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
The profound immoralities of our time are cruelty, indifference, injustice and the use of others as means rather than ends in themselves. — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
Marriages we regard as the happiest are those in which each of the partners believes he or she got the best of it. — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
“...it calls for deciding things on their own merit, not because you read it or were told it or grew up believing it.” — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
Ignorance per se is not nearly as dangerous as ignorance of ignorance. — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their… — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, his is also one who is permanently disappointed in the future. — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
Time is love, above all else. It is the most precious commodity in the world and should be lavished on those we care most… — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
“The cynic is goodhearted beneath his facade, whereas the sentimentalist is flint-hearted beneath his.” — Sydney J. Harris Copy Share Image
