Optimism Quote by Rufi Thorpe
““It will be okay," Franklin said. And even though I felt he was far too optimistic, I also suspected that there was wisdom in his optimism; Franklin's scale for "okay" spanned thousands of years. He didn't worry about someone being unhappy for a few hours or days. He didn't really worry about unhappiness at all. I think he worried about animals and sunlight and possibly grain. He worried about the furtherance of human knowledge as a grand cooperative endeavor that made him coworkers with everyone from Proust to Einstein to the author of Inanna.””
About This Quote
Optimism can span centuries, focusing on long‑term progress rather than fleeting discomfort.
In simple terms: Optimism looks beyond short‑term unhappiness.
Prioritize lasting contributions over momentary feelings.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- environmental stewardship
- education reform
- community building
- artistic collaboration
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance long‑term goals with present‑day wellbeing?
- What responsibilities arise when focusing on grand endeavors?
Optimism may ignore immediate suffering of individuals.