--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I do look at myself, I see someone…" description: "\"When I do look at myself, I see someone who is fundamentally optimistic. Quite a lot of what I do in my television work involves the less than pleasant..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/gavin-esler-4699_hope_when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-w_2291600.jpg" --- # When I do look at myself, I see someone who is… ![“When I do look at myself, I see someone who is fundamentally optimistic. Quite a lot of what I do in my television work involves the less than pleasant aspects of human nature, yet I'm never pessimistic.” quote by Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/gavin-esler-4699_hope_when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-w_2291600.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/gavin-esler-4699_hope_when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-w_2291600.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/gavin-esler-4699_hope_when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-w_2291600.jpg) > “When I do look at myself, I see someone who is fundamentally optimistic. Quite a lot of what I do in my television work involves the less than pleasant aspects of human nature, yet I'm never pessimistic.” [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He sees himself as inherently hopeful despite working with humanity’s darker sides, maintaining optimism. **In simple terms:** Optimism persists despite dark work. Key Takeaway Cultivate optimism in challenging environments. Themes optimism media human nature Mood reflective balanced Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - journalism - television production - personal reflection Key Concepts psychology resilience self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay hopeful amid negativity? - What risks does optimism pose? A Different Perspective Optimism may blind one to systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fundamentally Optimistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentally-optimistic-5386105/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Optimist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimist/) [Optimistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimistic/) [Optimistic Quite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimistic-quite-5386106/) [Pessimistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimistic/) [Pleasant Aspects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasant-aspects-5386107/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [“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/) > [When I look at the world I'm pessimistic, but when I look at people I am optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-rogers/when-i-look-at-the-world-i-m-pessimistic-but-when-i-look-at-people-i/) [Carl Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-rogers/) > [On one hand, I'm an optimistic pessimist. On the other, I'm a pessimistic optimist. But while there's life, there's still hope, and I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-caldicott/on-one-hand-i-m-an-optimistic-pessimist-on-the-other-i-m-a/) [Helen Caldicott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-caldicott/) > [I tend to be very pessimistic and not let myself enjoy things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-escola/i-tend-to-be-very-pessimistic-and-not-let-myself-enjoy-things/) [Cole Escola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-escola/) > [I think I'm a person that's very pessimistic about, like I'm not a luddite but I don't think we need to crack the code…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oneohtrix-point-never/i-think-i-m-a-person-that-s-very-pessimistic-about-like-i-m-not-a/) [Oneohtrix Point Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oneohtrix-point-never/) > [I tend toward the pessimistic end of the spectrum, and unfortunately there's little in human history to convince me that pessimism is unwarranted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-currie-jr/i-tend-toward-the-pessimistic-end-of-the-spectrum-and-unfortunately/) [Ron Currie Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-currie-jr/) > [I'm generally pessimistic about the dumbing down of America - especially with summer movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmer-bernstein/i-m-generally-pessimistic-about-the-dumbing-down-of-america/) [Elmer Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmer-bernstein/) > [“To a pessimist, losing bobby pins is as hopeless as losing hair. To an optimist, losing hair gives hope to get the lost bobby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munia-khan/to-a-pessimist-losing-bobby-pins-is-as-hopeless-as-losing-hair-to-an/) [Munia Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munia-khan/) > [Nothing makes me more pessimistic than the obligation not to be pessimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eug-ne-ionesco/nothing-makes-me-more-pessimistic-than-the-obligation-not-to-be/) [Eugene Ionesco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eug-ne-ionesco/) > [ I never like to use those terms \[like pessimistic\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-moore-lapp/i-never-like-to-use-those-terms-like-pessimistic/) [Frances Moore Lappé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-moore-lapp/) > [I always call myself either an optimistic pessimist or a pessimistic optimist - I'm not sure which way it goes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-englander/i-always-call-myself-either-an-optimistic-pessimist-or-a-pessimistic/) [Nathan Englander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-englander/) > [Vermonters often ask me whether I am pessimistic about the future of our country. My honest answer is that I am not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/vermonters-often-ask-me-whether-i-am-pessimistic-about-the-future-of/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [Conservatism is pessimistic, with a negative tendency - which we mostly resist - towards despair. Liberals are optimists, with a negative tendency, rarely resisted,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-derbyshire/conservatism-is-pessimistic-with-a-negative-tendency-which-we-mostly/) [John Derbyshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-derbyshire/) > [Left to my own devices, in the face of the climate change deniers, the madness and the greed-based decision-making, and propaganda that's been floating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-reznor/left-to-my-own-devices-in-the-face-of-the-climate-change-deniers-the/) [Trent Reznor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-reznor/) > [“Of all the pessimistic people, I am the most optimistic. I look forward to looking down on all the people looking up to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/of-all-the-pessimistic-people-i-am-the-most-optimistic-i-look-forward/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## More by Gavin Esler > [The skills necessary to change nappies or negotiate Brexit are obviously very different, but both involve a great deal of trust in the competence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/the-skills-necessary-to-change-nappies-or-negotiate-brexit-are/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [The country I live in is never clear about its name. My passport says 'the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/the-country-i-live-in-is-never-clear-about-its-name-my-passport-says/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [Personally, I hope that we British continue to criticise America - just as I hope Americans will criticise us. That is what friends do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/personally-i-hope-that-we-british-continue-to-criticise-america-just/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [As a teenager in Scotland, I had American friends, sons and daughters of officers at a U.S. Air Force base.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/as-a-teenager-in-scotland-i-had-american-friends-sons-and-daughters/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [There's no doubt that prog rock has an image problem: many musicians hate the label, and too many people associate it with 10-minute drum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/there-s-no-doubt-that-prog-rock-has-an-image-problem-many-musicians/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [The Cold War, Bosnia and Ukraine remind us that peace is fragile. Iraq and Syria remind us that no society or culture is immune…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/the-cold-war-bosnia-and-ukraine-remind-us-that-peace-is-fragile-iraq/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [Let me say it up front: I don't like bad hair or capes. I'm not into witches, warlocks or elves. I would never try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/let-me-say-it-up-front-i-don-t-like-bad-hair-or-capes-i-m-not-into/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [Government is not a game show, though at times it is amusing and entertaining to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/government-is-not-a-game-show-though-at-times-it-is-amusing-and/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [My alphabet book at Duddingston Primary, Edinburgh, began traditionally with 'a is for apple,' but when it came to 'g,' it was 'g is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/my-alphabet-book-at-duddingston-primary-edinburgh-began-traditionally/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [Democratic government is difficult. It is much more difficult than populists claim. It's not like running a business or a police force. It demands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/democratic-government-is-difficult-it-is-much-more-difficult-than/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [American elections have usually turned on the issues of war, peace and the economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/american-elections-have-usually-turned-on-the-issues-of-war-peace-and/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [At seven years old, I won a scholarship to George Heriot's School, an independent school in Edinburgh, and I was there until I was 17.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/at-seven-years-old-i-won-a-scholarship-to-george-heriot-s-school-an/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [There is so much unreliable information on the internet and in the media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/there-is-so-much-unreliable-information-on-the-internet-and-in-the/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [International politics attracts politicians who talk a good game, but whose achievements are often slender.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/international-politics-attracts-politicians-who-talk-a-good-game-but/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [We need to create a sense of shame about racism, and about leaders who deliberately mislead and lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/we-need-to-create-a-sense-of-shame-about-racism-and-about-leaders-who/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) [Explore all 107 Gavin Esler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) ## More Hope quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“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/) > [“What can we do in any hardship? We can hope with prayerful praise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/what-can-we-do-in-any-hardship-we-can-hope-with-prayerful-praise/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [If one truly has lost hope, one would not be on hand to say so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bentley/if-one-truly-has-lost-hope-one-would-not-be-on-hand-to-say-so/) [Eric Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bentley/) > [“too—I realized that my only hope was to give up the life that had been, in order to make room for the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/too-i-realized-that-my-only-hope-was-to-give-up-the-life-that-had/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Stop trying to give me hope ... I have no room left for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenn-f/stop-trying-to-give-me-hope-i-have-no-room-left-for-it/) [Jenn F](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenn-f/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Give me love, give me peace on earth, give me light, give me life, keep me free from birth, give me hope, help me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-me-love-give-me-peace-on-earth-give-me-light-give-me-life-keep/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Pray, hope, don't worry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/pray-hope-don-t-worry/) [Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/) > [Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillips-brooks/do-not-pray-for-tasks-equal-to-your-powers-pray-for-powers-equal-to/) [Phillips Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillips-brooks/) > [I am at a point in my life where everything I have worked for starts to look like a burden, a weight on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-abou-samra/i-am-at-a-point-in-my-life-where-everything-i-have-worked-for-starts/) [Simone Abou Samra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-abou-samra/) > [Im really happy that I met you I hope you know that](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/im-nothing/im-really-happy-that-i-met-you-i-hope-you-know-that/) [Im Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/im-nothing/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Browse all 24,868 Hope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I do look at myself, I see someone who is fundamentally optimistic. Quite a lot of what I do in my television work involves the less than pleasant aspects of human nature, yet I'm never pessimistic.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gavin Esler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-who-is-fundamentally/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hope" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-who-is-fundamentally/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/gavin-esler-4699_hope_when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-w_2291600.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/gavin-esler-4699_hope_when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-w_2291600.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/gavin-esler-4699_hope_when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-w_2291600.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I do look at myself, I see someone who is fundamentally optimistic. Quite a lot of what I do in my…” — Gavin Esler", "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": "Gavin Esler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I do look at myself,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-who-is-fundamentally/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/when-i-do-look-at-myself-i-see-someone-who-is-fundamentally/#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 } } ] } ```