--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Optimists are right. So are pessimists…" description: "\"Optimists are right. So are pessimists. It's up to you to choose which you will be.\" — Harvey Mackay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/harvey-mackay-1775_being-positive_optimists-are-right-so-are-pessimists-it_2598982.png" --- # Optimists are right. So are pessimists. It's up to you to… ![“Optimists are right. So are pessimists. It's up to you to choose which you will be.” quote by Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/harvey-mackay-1775_being-positive_optimists-are-right-so-are-pessimists-it_2598982.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/harvey-mackay-1775_being-positive_optimists-are-right-so-are-pessimists-it_2598982.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/harvey-mackay-1775_being-positive_optimists-are-right-so-are-pessimists-it_2598982.png) > “Optimists are right. So are pessimists. It's up to you to choose which you will be.” [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Optimism and pessimism are choices; personal agency determines which outlook you adopt. **In simple terms:** You choose optimism or pessimism. Key Takeaway Decide to adopt a positive mindset. Themes mindset choice personal agency Mood encouraging practical Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - daily journaling - goal setting - stress management Key Concepts psychology self‑help Questions to Reflect On - What influences your outlook most? - Can you stay optimistic in crisis? A Different Perspective External events can limit optimism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-positive/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) [Optimist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimist/) [Optimistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimistic/) [Optimists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimists/) [Pessimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimism/) [Pessimist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimist/) [Pessimists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimists/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [Pessimists are not boring. Pessimists are right. Pessimists are superfluous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-canetti/pessimists-are-not-boring-pessimists-are-right-pessimists-are/) [Elias Canetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-canetti/) > [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/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Pessimists see problems as stemming from stable and universal causes, thus making them less susceptible to corrective action. Optimists, in contrast, view problems as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/pessimists-see-problems-as-stemming-from-stable-and-universal-causes/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [As a bull market turns into a bear market, the new pros turn into optimists, hoping and praying the bear market will become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/as-a-bull-market-turns-into-a-bear-market-the-new-pros-turn-into/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [“Optimists see opportunities. Pessimists refuse to look.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-fritz/optimists-see-opportunities-pessimists-refuse-to-look/) [Roger Fritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-fritz/) > [The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe that bad events will last a long time, will undermine everything they do,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-seligman/the-defining-characteristic-of-pessimists-is-that-they-tend-to/) [Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-seligman/) > [“A handsome young lady of quality,' a parable in Mahaparinirvana-sutra tells us, 'who carries with her an immense treasure is ever accompanied by her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaiten-nukariya/a-handsome-young-lady-of-quality-a-parable-in-mahaparinirvana-sutra/) [Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaiten-nukariya/) > [“the reason why pessimists are recruited among former optimists, since in order to have a black picture of the world it is necessary to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernesto-sabato/the-reason-why-pessimists-are-recruited-among-former-optimists-since/) [Ernesto Sabato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernesto-sabato/) > [Pessimists see a problem behind every opportunity. Optimists see an opportunity behind every problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/pessimists-see-a-problem-behind-every-opportunity-optimists-see-an/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Optimists and pessimists die the exact same death, but they live very different lives!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/optimists-and-pessimists-die-the-exact-same-death-but-they-live-very/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [“And truthfully, when microbiologists talk amongst ourselves, off the record after a few glasses of wine, the optimists admit their optimism is more wishful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-chercover/and-truthfully-when-microbiologists-talk-amongst-ourselves-off-the/) [Sean Chercover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-chercover/) > [“Optimists see the glass as half full. Pessimists see the glass as half empty. Experiential trainers see the whole glass and its context.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bogdan-vaida/optimists-see-the-glass-as-half-full-pessimists-see-the-glass-as-half/) [Bogdan Vaida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bogdan-vaida/) > [Pessimists fear becoming the dupes of Hope. Optimists enjoy Hope's company, and consider being duped no great matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/pessimists-fear-becoming-the-dupes-of-hope-optimists-enjoy-hope-s/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [“Human beings are designed to be local optimists and global pessimists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/human-beings-are-designed-to-be-local-optimists-and-global-pessimists/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) ## More by Harvey Mackay > [It doesn't matter if they say you can't do it. It only matters if you say you can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-doesn-t-matter-if-they-say-you-can-t-do-it-it-only-matters-if-you/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about those who don’t. Believe everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/life-is-too-short-to-wake-up-with-regrets-so-love-the-people-who/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he wouldn't get anywhere at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-his-neck-out-he-wouldn-t-get/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Keep the customer actively involved throughout your presentation, and watch your results improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/keep-the-customer-actively-involved-throughout-your-presentation-and/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Your workforce is your most valuable asset. The knowledge and skills they have represent the fuel that drives the engine of business - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/your-workforce-is-your-most-valuable-asset-the-knowledge-and-skills/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [I've learned that people will seldom let you down if they understand that your destiny is in their hands, and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-ve-learned-that-people-will-seldom-let-you-down-if-they-understand/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/people-begin-to-become-successful-the-minute-they-decide-to-be/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [I have ten marathons under my belt, including four New York races and one Boston.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-have-ten-marathons-under-my-belt-including-four-new-york-races-and/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Pay attention to those employees who respectfully ask why. They are demonstrating an interest in their jobs and exhibiting a curiosity that could eventually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/pay-attention-to-those-employees-who-respectfully-ask-why-they-are/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [The employees who share innovative ideas may also be the folks who have some hidden talents that would help incorporate their suggestions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/the-employees-who-share-innovative-ideas-may-also-be-the-folks-who/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Leadership does not mean getting people to do their job. It means getting people to do their best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/leadership-does-not-mean-getting-people-to-do-their-job-it-means/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [It's only lonely at the top if you forget all the people you met along the way and fail to acknowledge their contributions to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-s-only-lonely-at-the-top-if-you-forget-all-the-people-you-met/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [If you walk backwards, you will never stub your toe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/if-you-walk-backwards-you-will-never-stub-your-toe/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [As you schedule individual tasks, give yourself a cushion. Mark the due date a few days ahead of the actual deadline so you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/as-you-schedule-individual-tasks-give-yourself-a-cushion-mark-the-due/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) [Explore all 209 Harvey Mackay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) ## More Being positive quotes > [To be positive at all times is to ignore all that is important, sacred or valuable. To be negative at all times is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-cobain/to-be-positive-at-all-times-is-to-ignore-all-that-is-important-sacred/) [Kurt Cobain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-cobain/) > [In life, something from everything will leave a mark on your heart. It might be happiness, lamentations, or both. Memories will make you the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myself/in-life-something-from-everything-will-leave-a-mark-on-your-heart-it/) Myself > [Being positive helps you to keep away negative thoughts. And helps you to stand in adverse circumstances with the hope that in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-positive-helps-you-to-keep-away-negative-thoughts-and-helps-you/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [If You want to be Awesome, You have to kick all the negative and boring people out of your life and arm yourself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajdeep-sarkar/if-you-want-to-be-awesome-you-have-to-kick-all-the-negative-and/) [Rajdeep Sarkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajdeep-sarkar/) > [Face Everything in your life, it will make you discover many things and you will realize the true meaning of life. Life never seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushan-sharma/face-everything-in-your-life-it-will-make-you-discover-many-things/) [Sushan Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushan-sharma/) > [“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, focus your energy on what you can create.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/instead-of-worrying-about-what-you-cannot-control-focus-your-energy/) [Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/) > [Even though I'm not in the best of moods, I'll tackle today by being positive and focused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-though-i-m-not-in-the-best-of-moods-i-ll-tackle-today-by-being/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being positive its hard because there are people in life that are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-positive-its-hard-because-there-are-people-in-life-that-are-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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/) > [You have got to get your power up and do something and not just sit around. Always be optimistic. Always be positive! And ignore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-have-got-to-get-your-power-up-and-do-something-and-not-just-sit/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Courage is being who you are. Courage is sacred of thyself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/courage-is-being-who-you-are-courage-is-sacred-of-thyself/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Just Think About This: There Are Almost 9 Billion People On Earth.. And You Are Going To Let Just ONE Person To Ruin Your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/just-think-about-this-there-are-almost-9-billion-people-on-earth-and/) Pacifiersucker > [Its hard to be positive when people are constantly hurting you or letting you down. But being negative ruins your chase at finding happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/its-hard-to-be-positive-when-people-are-constantly-hurting-you-or/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [At the end of every week review the goals you had set out to accomplish. Check off the ones you accomplish, sit down and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mly-ab/at-the-end-of-every-week-review-the-goals-you-had-set-out-to/) MlY AB > [Raise your self-esteem to such a level that you only allow loving experiences in your life. Don't waste time trying to get even. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/raise-your-self-esteem-to-such-a-level-that-you-only-allow-loving/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 907 Being positive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-positive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Optimists are right. So are pessimists. 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