---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm optimistic but I'm also not stupid."
description: "\"I'm optimistic but I'm also not stupid.\" — Aldous Harding"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/aldous-harding-9163_also_i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid-2_2132413.jpg"
---

#  I'm optimistic but I'm also not stupid.

![“I'm optimistic but I'm also not stupid.” quote by Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/aldous-harding-9163_also_i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid-2_2132413.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/aldous-harding-9163_also_i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid-2_2132413.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/aldous-harding-9163_also_i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid-2_2132413.jpg)

> “I'm optimistic but I'm also not stupid.”

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Optimism is balanced with realism; being hopeful does not mean ignoring practical limits or being naïve.

**In simple terms:** I’m hopeful but also realistic.

Key Takeaway

Stay hopeful while keeping realistic expectations.

Themes

optimism realism balance

Mood

hopeful pragmatic

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- goal setting
- financial planning
- health decisions
- career development

Key Concepts

cognitive bias self-awareness emotional intelligence

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you gauge when optimism becomes unrealistic?
- What strategies keep hope grounded?

A Different Perspective

Over-optimism can lead to disappointment if not grounded.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Also](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/also/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Optimist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimist/) [Optimistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimistic/) [Optimistic Stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimistic-stupid-4401181/) [Stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupid/)

## Related quotes

> [I am optimistic. But I also know that, with time, I'm beginning to fight issues of aging as well as long-term paralysis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/i-am-optimistic-but-i-also-know-that-with-time-i-m-beginning-to-fight/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

> [I am to positive to be doubtful too optimistic too be fearful and too determined too be defeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-to-positive-to-be-doubtful-too-optimistic-too-be-fearful-and-too/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“With my simple engineering mind I was throughout optimistic and, therefore, carried the project through. I was naive enough to believe in its success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-fedoroff/with-my-simple-engineering-mind-i-was-throughout-optimistic-and/)

[Nina Fedoroff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-fedoroff/)

> [By nature, Im an optimistic person. No one believes it, but I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-kramer/by-nature-im-an-optimistic-person-no-one-believes-it-but-i-am/)

[Larry Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-kramer/)

> [“While I may be pessimistic about parts of the business that support journalism, I’m optimistic about the robust survival of journalism in the long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-brock/while-i-may-be-pessimistic-about-parts-of-the-business-that-support/)

[George Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-brock/)

> [I'm often characterized as an optimistic writer, and certainly my 'Neanderthal Parallax' and 'WWW' trilogies shade toward the utopian. I like to think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/i-m-often-characterized-as-an-optimistic-writer-and-certainly-my/)

[Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/)

> [I'm to positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful and to determinate to be defeated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-to-positive-to-be-doubtful-too-optimistic-to-be-fearful-and-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I look on everything with a very optimistic eye. Because I'm a body builder by trade, you know, that was my intent all my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-chong/i-look-on-everything-with-a-very-optimistic-eye-because-i-m-a-body/)

[Tommy Chong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-chong/)

> [Creeds matter very little... The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-branch-cabell/creeds-matter-very-little-the-optimist-proclaims-that-we-live-in-the/)

[James Branch Cabell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-branch-cabell/)

> [It may be the antidepressants talking, but I'm feeling somewhat optimistic about 2014.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-may-be-the-antidepressants-talking-but-i-m-feeling-somewhat/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I know I sound overly optimistic, but you know me, I've always been an optimistic guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-know-i-sound-overly-optimistic-but-you-know-me-i-ve-always-been-an/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [I've been blessed with an optimistic disposition, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-evison/i-ve-been-blessed-with-an-optimistic-disposition-i-think/)

[Jonathan Evison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-evison/)

> [In this world, the optimists have it, not because they are always right, but because they are positive. Even when they are wrong they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-landes/in-this-world-the-optimists-have-it-not-because-they-are-always-right/)

[David Landes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-landes/)

> [I'm a very positive person in my life. I'm very optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-fern/i-m-a-very-positive-person-in-my-life-i-m-very-optimistic/)

[Cody Fern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-fern/)

> [Pessimists are usually right and optimists are usually wrong but all the great changes have been accomplished by optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/pessimists-are-usually-right-and-optimists-are-usually-wrong-but-all/)

[Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/)

## More by Aldous Harding

> [So, when I was eight or nine my mom's friend gave her a big purple bag full of cassettes and I found Seals and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/so-when-i-was-eight-or-nine-my-mom-s-friend-gave-her-a-big-purple-bag/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [I like 'The Simpsons' like everybody else. But yeah - people think I'll always be super intense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-like-the-simpsons-like-everybody-else-but-yeah-people-think-i-ll/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [Designer' is meant to mean whatever it means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/designer-is-meant-to-mean-whatever-it-means/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [I'm focused on my future. I'm ignoring my past, apart from the bits that I draw from to help me focus on my future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-m-focused-on-my-future-i-m-ignoring-my-past-apart-from-the-bits/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [I write songs for the same reasons most artists write songs -because I have to, whatever that means. Because I want to talk about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-write-songs-for-the-same-reasons-most-artists-write-songs-because-i/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [We all want the same thing, love and acceptance. That's pretty much it. And what I've learned is that unless I'm happy with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/we-all-want-the-same-thing-love-and-acceptance-that-s-pretty-much-it/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [I definitely have a stage persona. I don't walk around scowling at people too often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-definitely-have-a-stage-persona-i-don-t-walk-around-scowling-at/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [I don't really like to talk about what my songs are about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-don-t-really-like-to-talk-about-what-my-songs-are-about/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [You know, we've had some pretty rough festival stages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/you-know-we-ve-had-some-pretty-rough-festival-stages/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [I've got a bad rap for not being more charismatic between songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-ve-got-a-bad-rap-for-not-being-more-charismatic-between-songs/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [There are very few things in the world that make me feel a feeling, really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/there-are-very-few-things-in-the-world-that-make-me-feel-a-feeling/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [I don't really remember a lot of my childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-don-t-really-remember-a-lot-of-my-childhood/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [I'm definitely not above wanting to be liked. Because, I mean, that feels less... lonely? But to be honest, because it was never my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-m-definitely-not-above-wanting-to-be-liked-because-i-mean-that/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [I think people are particularly interested to see who the real me is, but... different stories call for different approaches and you change based…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-think-people-are-particularly-interested-to-see-who-the-real-me-is/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

> [As a kid I remember being frightened all of the time, and kind of sad. I was certainly troubled. But a lot of people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/as-a-kid-i-remember-being-frightened-all-of-the-time-and-kind-of-sad/)

[Aldous Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

[Explore all 75 Aldous Harding quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/)

## More Also quotes

> [I'm a workaholic, but I also like to vacation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karrueche-tran/i-m-a-workaholic-but-i-also-like-to-vacation/)

[Karrueche Tran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karrueche-tran/)

> [I've also directed, shot, and edited several music videos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-king/i-ve-also-directed-shot-and-edited-several-music-videos/)

[Richard King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-king/)

> [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/)

[Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/)

> [I'm not against gay people. I have a relative who is also gay. We can't help it if they were born that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-pacquiao/i-m-not-against-gay-people-i-have-a-relative-who-is-also-gay-we-can-t/)

[Manny Pacquiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-pacquiao/)

> [I want to make myself and the crowd happy by way of something different, and that makes things difficult. I'm never playing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/i-want-to-make-myself-and-the-crowd-happy-by-way-of-something/)

[Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/)

> [My parents are divorced, and seeing that was really painful for me. Really painful for me. But that's also a big part of why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/my-parents-are-divorced-and-seeing-that-was-really-painful-for-me/)

[Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/)

> [With all the technology we're inventing and what they're coming up with scientifically, people are having longer lifetimes. It's scary, but in the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittany-murphy/with-all-the-technology-we-re-inventing-and-what-they-re-coming-up/)

[Brittany Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittany-murphy/)

> [I like 'The Usual Suspects'. Great film. I also like 'Scarface', films like that. Lots of gangster films. I really like watching all kinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barkhad-abdi/i-like-the-usual-suspects-great-film-i-also-like-scarface-films-like/)

[Barkhad Abdi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barkhad-abdi/)

> [I'm in 'Madagascar 2.' I'm Testy the Lion. The franchise moves to Africa, and Bernie Mac is also in the film. I loved working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lister-jr/i-m-in-madagascar-2-i-m-testy-the-lion-the-franchise-moves-to-africa/)

[Tom Lister, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lister-jr/)

> [I was born with a silver microphone in my mouth, and that was an advantage. My father wrote books and was also a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dimbleby/i-was-born-with-a-silver-microphone-in-my-mouth-and-that-was-an/)

[Jonathan Dimbleby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dimbleby/)

> [I always like to look for adventure when I go away. I have gone on several horse adventures with my wife - from Guangxi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-gormley/i-always-like-to-look-for-adventure-when-i-go-away-i-have-gone-on/)

[Antony Gormley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-gormley/)

> [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/)

[Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/)

> [It is true that from a behavioral economics perspective we are fallible, easily confused, not that smart, and often irrational. We are more like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/it-is-true-that-from-a-behavioral-economics-perspective-we-are/)

[Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/)

> [Especially for those of us who lived in single cells, you had the time to sit down and think, and we discovered that sitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/especially-for-those-of-us-who-lived-in-single-cells-you-had-the-time/)

[Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/)

> [I like men who are very cool but who are also so brilliant that they are almost insane. Sean Penn, Gary Oldman, Bob Dylan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolene-blalock/i-like-men-who-are-very-cool-but-who-are-also-so-brilliant-that-they/)

[Jolene Blalock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolene-blalock/)

[Browse all 3,822 Also quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/also/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I'm optimistic but I'm also not stupid.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Aldous Harding"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Also"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/aldous-harding-9163_also_i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid-2_2132413.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/aldous-harding-9163_also_i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid-2_2132413.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/aldous-harding-9163_also_i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid-2_2132413.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I'm optimistic but I'm also not stupid.” — Aldous Harding",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Aldous Harding",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-harding/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I'm optimistic but I'm also not...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-harding/i-m-optimistic-but-i-m-also-not-stupid/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
