--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The belief that the world is getting…" description: "\"The belief that the world is getting worse, that we can't solve extreme poverty and disease, isn't just mistaken. It is harmful.\" — Bill Gates" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/141/bill-gates-137_belief_the-belief-that-the-world-is-getting-wor_2532373.jpg" --- # The belief that the world is getting worse, that we can't… ![“The belief that the world is getting worse, that we can't solve extreme poverty and disease, isn't just mistaken. It is harmful.” quote by Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/141/bill-gates-137_belief_the-belief-that-the-world-is-getting-wor_2532373.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/141/bill-gates-137_belief_the-belief-that-the-world-is-getting-wor_2532373.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/141/bill-gates-137_belief_the-belief-that-the-world-is-getting-wor_2532373.jpg) > “The belief that the world is getting worse, that we can't solve extreme poverty and disease, isn't just mistaken. It is harmful.” [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Believing the world is worsening and unsolvable leads to harmful pessimism that hinders action. **In simple terms:** Pessimism about global problems is damaging. Key Takeaway Adopt a solutions‑oriented mindset to drive change. Themes optimism global challenges action Mood hopeful critical Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - public health policy - poverty alleviation - disease research Key Concepts systemic change philanthropy Questions to Reflect On - What actions can counteract fatalistic attitudes? - How can hope be balanced with realistic assessment? A Different Perspective Overcoming entrenched pessimism requires cultural shifts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) [Extreme poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extreme-poverty/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Addiction is a brain disease - this isn't a moral failing - and we have got to stop looking at it that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perri-peltz/addiction-is-a-brain-disease-this-isn-t-a-moral-failing-and-we-have/) [Perri Peltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perri-peltz/) > [“The corporate government is completely okay with sending sickened people into extreme poverty for the rest of their lives by blatantly denying their genuine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-corporate-government-is-completely-okay-with-sending-sickened/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [You cant not be changed by the experience of seeing extreme poverty. You start to want to think about ways in which you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-takano/you-cant-not-be-changed-by-the-experience-of-seeing-extreme-poverty/) [Mark Takano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-takano/) > [We expect that in the next years, the economy will improve. And we expect that extreme poverty will drop from 22 percent to 11…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-fujimori/we-expect-that-in-the-next-years-the-economy-will-improve-and-we/) [Alberto Fujimori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-fujimori/) > [Ending extreme poverty is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/ending-extreme-poverty-is-possible/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [Extreme poverty is the best breeding ground on earth for disease, political instability, and terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-sachs/extreme-poverty-is-the-best-breeding-ground-on-earth-for-disease/) [Jeffrey Sachs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-sachs/) > [To make sustainable progress in reducing extreme poverty will require improvements in both the quantity and quality of aid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/to-make-sustainable-progress-in-reducing-extreme-poverty-will-require/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [There is still a severe and scary amount of extreme poverty in rural parts of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Burma and sub-Saharan Africa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-rosling/there-is-still-a-severe-and-scary-amount-of-extreme-poverty-in-rural/) [Hans Rosling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-rosling/) > [Despite the hundreds of non-governmental organizations and the continued outpouring of foreign aid, East Africa remains as a region overwhelmed by extreme poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/despite-the-hundreds-of-non-governmental-organizations-and-the/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [If extreme poverty is allowed to increase, it will give rise to new problems, including new diseases that will spread from countries that cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/if-extreme-poverty-is-allowed-to-increase-it-will-give-rise-to-new/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [We live increasingly in a world of haves and have-nots, of gated communities next to ghettos, of extreme poverty and unbelievable riches. Some enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noreena-hertz/we-live-increasingly-in-a-world-of-haves-and-have-nots-of-gated/) [Noreena Hertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noreena-hertz/) > [The depiction of Africa has changed in the media in that it is not always poverty, disease, and so on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ory-okolloh/the-depiction-of-africa-has-changed-in-the-media-in-that-it-is-not/) [Ory Okolloh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ory-okolloh/) > [The biggest disease today is not leprosy or cancer or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling or being unwanted, uncared for, deserted by everybody. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/the-biggest-disease-today-is-not-leprosy-or-cancer-or-tuberculosis/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [If poverty is a disease that infects the entire community in the form of unemployment and violence, failing schools and broken homes, then we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/if-poverty-is-a-disease-that-infects-the-entire-community-in-the-form/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [If you have any lack, if you are prey to poverty or disease, it is because you do not believe or do not understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-collier/if-you-have-any-lack-if-you-are-prey-to-poverty-or-disease-it-is/) [Robert Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-collier/) ## More by Bill Gates > [If you’re a person struggling to eat and stay healthy you might have heard about Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali, but you’ll never have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/if-you-re-a-person-struggling-to-eat-and-stay-healthy-you-might-have/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I really had a lot of dreams when I was a kid, and I think a great deal of that grew out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/i-really-had-a-lot-of-dreams-when-i-was-a-kid-and-i-think-a-great/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Understanding science and pushing the boundaries of science is what makes me immensely satisfied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/understanding-science-and-pushing-the-boundaries-of-science-is-what/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [We're focused on providing innovations in software, driving the continuous improvement for a much better experience, and there's a lot going on here that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-re-focused-on-providing-innovations-in-software-driving-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Paper is no longer a big part of my day. I get 90% of my news online, and when I go to a meeting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/paper-is-no-longer-a-big-part-of-my-day-i-get-90-of-my-news-online/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Software will get to be somewhat more mature, ah, but it will never be as predictable as most areas of engineering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/software-will-get-to-be-somewhat-more-mature-ah-but-it-will-never-be/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Students deserve great teachers. And teachers deserve the support they need to become great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/students-deserve-great-teachers-and-teachers-deserve-the-support-they/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [The machines need to get faster. They need to get cheaper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/the-machines-need-to-get-faster-they-need-to-get-cheaper/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Like many others, I have deep misgivings about the state of education in the United States. Too many of our students fail to graduate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/like-many-others-i-have-deep-misgivings-about-the-state-of-education/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Over time, yes, countries will need to look at specific GMO products like they look at drugs today, where they don't approve them all.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/over-time-yes-countries-will-need-to-look-at-specific-gmo-products/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Competition is always a fantastic thing, and the computer industry is intensely competitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/competition-is-always-a-fantastic-thing-and-the-computer-industry-is/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I don't think there's anything unique about human intellience. All the nuerons in the brain that make up perceptions and emotions operate in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/i-don-t-think-there-s-anything-unique-about-human-intellience-all-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [At every juncture, advanced tools have been the key to a new wave of applications, and each wave of applications has been key to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/at-every-juncture-advanced-tools-have-been-the-key-to-a-new-wave-of/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Software is more important than hardware.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/software-is-more-important-than-hardware/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Talking to mothers, always brings it home because they're so anxious to do everything they can for their kids and so tragic for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/talking-to-mothers-always-brings-it-home-because-they-re-so-anxious/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) [Explore all 1,165 Bill Gates quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The belief that the world is getting worse, that we can't solve extreme poverty and disease, isn't just mistaken. 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