--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By far the most dangerous people in the…" description: "\"By far the most dangerous people in the world are optimists (those who believe that all can be made well here below). If you think all can be made well..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/robert-barron-13186_20th-century_by-far-the-most-dangerous-people-in-the_515221.jpg" --- # By far the most dangerous people in the world are… ![“By far the most dangerous people in the world are optimists (those who believe that all can be made well here below). If you think all can be made well in this world, then you will go to any extreme to make it happen. There is the story of the 20th century. As Lenin said, "You can't make an omelet…” quote by Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/robert-barron-13186_20th-century_by-far-the-most-dangerous-people-in-the_515221.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/robert-barron-13186_20th-century_by-far-the-most-dangerous-people-in-the_515221.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/robert-barron-13186_20th-century_by-far-the-most-dangerous-people-in-the_515221.jpg) > “By far the most dangerous people in the world are optimists (those who believe that all can be made well here below). If you think all can be made well in this world, then you will go to any extreme to make it happen. There is the story of the 20th century. As Lenin said, "You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs".” [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Optimism can become dangerous when it drives extreme actions to achieve idealistic goals, potentially causing harm. **In simple terms:** Extreme optimism may lead to harmful extremes. Key Takeaway Balance optimism with realistic assessment. Themes optimism extremism politics Mood cautious thoughtful Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy making - activism - social movements - personal ambition Key Concepts idealism risk consequences Questions to Reflect On - How do you temper optimism with caution? - What are the risks of extreme idealism? A Different Perspective Optimism alone cannot guarantee positive outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Extremes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extremes/) [Omelets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/omelets/) [Optimist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimist/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Making movies is far more dangerous than people appreciate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-murray/making-movies-is-far-more-dangerous-than-people-appreciate/) [Bill Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-murray/) > [Pessimists calculate the odds. Optimists believe they can overcome them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-koppel/pessimists-calculate-the-odds-optimists-believe-they-can-overcome-them/) [Ted Koppel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-koppel/) > [Science that fails to embrace all living beings is far more dangerous than any virus!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-simmons/science-that-fails-to-embrace-all-living-beings-is-far-more-dangerous/) Steve Simmons > [“I consider Space-X to be far more dangerous than the Chinese Space program.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-consider-space-x-to-be-far-more-dangerous-than-the-chinese-space/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Not loving is a letting go. Listen, The terrain around here Is Far too Dangerous For That.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/not-loving-is-a-letting-go-listen-the-terrain-around-here-is-far-too/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Most of Mycroft's ideas were far too dangerous to even think about, much less let loose on a world unprepared for hyper-radical thought.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/most-of-mycroft-s-ideas-were-far-too-dangerous-to-even-think-about/) [Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/) > [I'm far more dangerous now, because I don't care at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-strummer/i-m-far-more-dangerous-now-because-i-don-t-care-at-all/) [Joe Strummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-strummer/) > [In the long run, it is far more dangerous to adhere to illusion than to face what the actual fact is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bohm/in-the-long-run-it-is-far-more-dangerous-to-adhere-to-illusion-than/) [David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bohm/) > [You're killing me here! You are far more dangerous than I am!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-hocking/you-re-killing-me-here-you-are-far-more-dangerous-than-i-am/) [Amanda Hocking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-hocking/) > [“a serial killer armed with a couple of feet of clothesline is far more dangerous than a cheerleader with a bazooka.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/a-serial-killer-armed-with-a-couple-of-feet-of-clothesline-is-far/) [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) > [“A belief in one's own virtue is far more dangerous than a belief in one's cunning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-puzo/a-belief-in-one-s-own-virtue-is-far-more-dangerous-than-a-belief-in/) [Mario Puzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-puzo/) > [Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/princes-and-governments-are-far-more-dangerous-than-other-elements/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Love is a far more dangerous motive than dislike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-violet/love-is-a-far-more-dangerous-motive-than-dislike/) [Lady Violet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-violet/) > [Suddenly all those careful preparations disintegrated as predators far more dangerous than the walking dead proved what all wise killers already knew: that nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-maberry/suddenly-all-those-careful-preparations-disintegrated-as-predators/) [Jonathan Maberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-maberry/) > [Things that appear on the front page of the newspaper as 'fact' are far more dangerous than the games played by a novelist, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-doctorow/things-that-appear-on-the-front-page-of-the-newspaper-as-fact-are-far/) [E. L. Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-doctorow/) ## More by Robert Barron > [The minute you walk outside of your church on Sunday you're in mission territory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/the-minute-you-walk-outside-of-your-church-on-sunday-you-re-in/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [ Again, I hear almost everyday from atheists who write off religion as primitive, premodern nonsense. I summon Aquinas, Augustine, Paul \[of Tarsus\], Teresa of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/again-i-hear-almost-everyday-from-atheists-who-write-off-religion-as/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [Beauty is the arrowhead of evangelization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/beauty-is-the-arrowhead-of-evangelization/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [The slightest cooperation with God's grace can provoke a massive spiritual change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/the-slightest-cooperation-with-god-s-grace-can-provoke-a-massive/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [“Who had the biggest army in the ancient world? Caesar Augustus in Rome, and that is precisely how he was able to dominate that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/who-had-the-biggest-army-in-the-ancient-world-caesar-augustus-in-rome/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [“Barron is convinced that the moral teachings of Catholicism are true, and that people who strive to practice them will live healthier, happier, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/barron-is-convinced-that-the-moral-teachings-of-catholicism-are-true/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [There's no way up but down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/there-s-no-way-up-but-down/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [The cross is Jesus going into the very lair of death. He goes to meet head-on that which frightens us the most. And what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/the-cross-is-jesus-going-into-the-very-lair-of-death-he-goes-to-meet/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [“who can stand toe-to-toe with the best and brightest of the secular world, either in person or online, and swell Catholic hearts everywhere by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/who-can-stand-toe-to-toe-with-the-best-and-brightest-of-the-secular/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [The great danger of the new media is that it seems to relish the superficial. There has been an ethos within the Church for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/the-great-danger-of-the-new-media-is-that-it-seems-to-relish-the/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [Begin with the beautiful, which leads you to the good, which leads you to the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/begin-with-the-beautiful-which-leads-you-to-the-good-which-leads-you/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [The only thing particularly new about the "new atheism" is its nastiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/the-only-thing-particularly-new-about-the-new-atheism-is-its-nastiness/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [“In Christian tradition, beauty, goodness, and truth are known as “transcendentals,” linked to the three core human abilities to feel, to wish, and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/in-christian-tradition-beauty-goodness-and-truth-are-known-as/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [“Only when you’ve had that experience of falling in love with something, Barron believes, will learning the rules that support it make sense. Otherwise,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/only-when-you-ve-had-that-experience-of-falling-in-love-with/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [We are exceptionally good at seeing the faults in others and exceptionally adept at ignoring the faults in ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/we-are-exceptionally-good-at-seeing-the-faults-in-others-and/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) [Explore all 51 Robert Barron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) ## More 20th century quotes > [I think the inhabitants of the past are fighting hard to keep the rents they acquired in the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bennet/i-think-the-inhabitants-of-the-past-are-fighting-hard-to-keep-the/) [Michael Bennet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bennet/) > [Corporate America is a 20th-century dinosaur, trembling on the edge of extinction, and the only way for you to have a genuinely secure future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/corporate-america-is-a-20th-century-dinosaur-trembling-on-the-edge-of/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free. We sent a generation to college. We cultivated the most educated workforce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/america-thrived-in-the-20th-century-because-we-made-high-school-free/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The 20th century has been marked by cynicism, selfishness, greed, and the desire to please, all without changing the status quo. In the 21st…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/the-20th-century-has-been-marked-by-cynicism-selfishness-greed-and/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [I've studied the lives of the 20th century's great businessmen and concluded self-confidence was instrumental in all their success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-spanos/i-ve-studied-the-lives-of-the-20th-century-s-great-businessmen-and/) [Alex Spanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-spanos/) > [Universal literacy was a 20th-century goal. Before then, reading and writing were skills largely confined to a small, highly educated class of professional people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-mackay/universal-literacy-was-a-20th-century-goal-before-then-reading-and/) [Hugh Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-mackay/) > [The great wars of the 20th Century made it into the worst Century ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-ambrose/the-great-wars-of-the-20th-century-made-it-into-the-worst-century-ever/) [Stephen Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-ambrose/) > [That is very different from how it used to be in the 20th century. Media was very one way. There's a small little industry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/that-is-very-different-from-how-it-used-to-be-in-the-20th-century/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [If you look back on the history of the 20th century, the 19th century or even to the ancien régime of the 18th, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/if-you-look-back-on-the-history-of-the-20th-century-the-19th-century/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Up to the 20th century, we can say that this whole period was an Earth epoch, 'Earth' meaning the riches of the earth, simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lech-walesa/up-to-the-20th-century-we-can-say-that-this-whole-period-was-an-earth/) [Lech Walesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lech-walesa/) > [I think this century more than any other really has seen the phenomenon of people being uprooted in such numbers, such a degree. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/i-think-this-century-more-than-any-other-really-has-seen-the/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [If you look at that incredible burst of fantastic characters that emerged in the late 19th century/early 20th century, you can see so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/if-you-look-at-that-incredible-burst-of-fantastic-characters-that/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [Cruel and paradoxical though it undoubtedly is, the record shows that yje most succesful 20th century monarchs have been those who were not actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cannadine/cruel-and-paradoxical-though-it-undoubtedly-is-the-record-shows-that/) [David Cannadine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cannadine/) > [An interesting thing about New Zealand, you know, literature is that it really didn't begin in any real sense until the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-catton/an-interesting-thing-about-new-zealand-you-know-literature-is-that-it/) [Eleanor Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-catton/) > [The Warmth of Other Suns is a sweeping and yet deeply personal tale of America's hidden 20th century history - the long and difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/the-warmth-of-other-suns-is-a-sweeping-and-yet-deeply-personal-tale/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) Browse all 672 20th century quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "By far the most dangerous people in the world are optimists (those who believe that all can be made well here below). 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