--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...studies show that in general…" description: "\"“...studies show that in general, optimists die ten years earlier than pessimists.\" \"I find that hard to believe\" \"Of course you do, you're an optimist..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/susin-nielsen-68715_hard-to-believe_studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-d_2485597.jpg" --- # ...studies show that in general, optimists die ten years… ![“...studies show that in general, optimists die ten years earlier than pessimists." "I find that hard to believe" "Of course you do, you're an optimist. You have a misguided belief that things will go your way. You don't see the dangers till it's too late. Pessimists are more realistic. "That seems…” quote by Susin Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/susin-nielsen-68715_hard-to-believe_studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-d_2485597.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/susin-nielsen-68715_hard-to-believe_studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-d_2485597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/susin-nielsen-68715_hard-to-believe_studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-d_2485597.jpg) > ““...studies show that in general, optimists die ten years earlier than pessimists." "I find that hard to believe" "Of course you do, you're an optimist. You have a misguided belief that things will go your way. You don't see the dangers till it's too late. Pessimists are more realistic. "That seems like a sad way to govern your life." "It's a safe way to govern your life.”” Susin Nielsen ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Optimists tend to die earlier, suggesting optimism may blind us to risks, while pessimists may be more realistic and cautious. **In simple terms:** Optimism can be risky; pessimism may protect. Key Takeaway Balance optimism with realistic assessment. Themes health psychology risk perception Mood analytical cautious Type critical informative When to use this quote - medical decision making - financial planning - personal safety Key Concepts cognitive bias longevity studies Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance optimism and caution? - When has optimism harmed you? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on pessimism can lead to chronic stress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) [Optimist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimist/) [Optimists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimists/) [Pessimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimism/) [Pessimists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimists/) [Precariousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precariousness/) [Too late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-late/) ## Related quotes > [“The storm is the optimist’s friend, but the pessimist’s nightmare.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/the-storm-is-the-optimist-s-friend-but-the-pessimist-s-nightmare/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [“In other words, they appeal to the state for protection, but the state is precisely that from which they require protection. To be protected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/in-other-words-they-appeal-to-the-state-for-protection-but-the-state/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [I hope that audiences understand that there is a precariousness to black lives in this country that we need to address, that there has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yance-ford/i-hope-that-audiences-understand-that-there-is-a-precariousness-to/) [Yance Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yance-ford/) > [“Precarity designates that politically induced condition in which certain populations suffer from failing social and economic networks of support and become differentially exposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/precarity-designates-that-politically-induced-condition-in-which/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [“Precarity also characterizes that politically induced condition of maximized precariousness for populations exposed to arbitrary state violence who often have no other option than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/precarity-also-characterizes-that-politically-induced-condition-of/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [“I argue that even as the war is framed in certain ways to control and heighten affect in relation to the differential grievability of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/i-argue-that-even-as-the-war-is-framed-in-certain-ways-to-control-and/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [“Without grievability, there is no life, or, rather, there is something living that is other than life. Instead, "there is a life that will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/without-grievability-there-is-no-life-or-rather-there-is-something/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [Faith considers that its precariousness and its finiteness are but the womb in which it abides, moving toward the plenitude and fullness of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-doherty/faith-considers-that-its-precariousness-and-its-finiteness-are-but/) [Catherine Doherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-doherty/) > [“Precariousness and precarity are intersecting concepts. Lives are by definition precarious: they can be expunged at will or by accident; their persistence is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/precariousness-and-precarity-are-intersecting-concepts-lives-are-by/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [“We constantly lived in the paradox of precariousness. The money was never there when you needed it, and it was always on time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-boyle/we-constantly-lived-in-the-paradox-of-precariousness-the-money-was/) [Gregory Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-boyle/) > [Precariousness is not just a working-class thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alissa-quart/precariousness-is-not-just-a-working-class-thing/) [Alissa Quart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alissa-quart/) > [Any order is a balancing act of extreme precariousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/any-order-is-a-balancing-act-of-extreme-precariousness/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [There is fear of impoverishment as a narrowly based ideological government, infused with medieval religious rectitude, lays waste to the Egyptian economy, which, given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/there-is-fear-of-impoverishment-as-a-narrowly-based-ideological/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [Only the sea, murmurous behind the dingy checkerboard of houses, told of the unrest, the precariousness, of all things in this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/only-the-sea-murmurous-behind-the-dingy-checkerboard-of-houses-told/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The Latin root of 'precariousness' is 'to obtain by prayer.' The precariat must ask for favours, for charity, to show obsequiousness, to plead with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/the-latin-root-of-precariousness-is-to-obtain-by-prayer-the-precariat/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) ## More by Susin Nielsen > [“Okay, even if we disagree on that point, we still need to keep living our lives, don't we?...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susin-nielsen/okay-even-if-we-disagree-on-that-point-we-still-need-to-keep-living/) Susin Nielsen > [“I don't think it's gross. I think it's kind of beautiful. Everything, and everyone, is interconnected.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susin-nielsen/i-don-t-think-it-s-gross-i-think-it-s-kind-of-beautiful-everything/) Susin Nielsen > [“Either they were stupid, or they were optimists. Most likely both. "I will outlive you all," I muttered under my breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susin-nielsen/either-they-were-stupid-or-they-were-optimists-most-likely-both-i/) Susin Nielsen Explore all 4 Susin Nielsen quotes ## More Hard to believe quotes > [“I find it hard to believe that I shall die. Because I'm bubbling in cold freshness. My life will be very long because each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarice-lispector/i-find-it-hard-to-believe-that-i-shall-die-because-i-m-bubbling-in/) [Clarice Lispector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarice-lispector/) > [I still feel like a kid sometimes myself so hard to believe that I'm a mom. Now I'm an adult! It only took 38 years!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-ortiz/i-still-feel-like-a-kid-sometimes-myself-so-hard-to-believe-that-i-m/) [Ana Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-ortiz/) > [I hope you don’t mind my joining you,” said Leanne. I minded. After all, she’d tried to kill me. A girl in a novel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-billingsley/i-hope-you-don-t-mind-my-joining-you-said-leanne-i-minded-after-all/) [Franny Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-billingsley/) > [Human beings have the incredible capacity for denial. I think they do. And although it's really hard to believe, I have my doubts. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-byrne/human-beings-have-the-incredible-capacity-for-denial-i-think-they-do/) [David Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-byrne/) > [People are still crazy about Python after twenty-five years, which I find hard to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-palin/people-are-still-crazy-about-python-after-twenty-five-years-which-i/) [Michael Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-palin/) > [I love you,its simple saying,but hard to believe for someone who say it..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madz/i-love-you-its-simple-saying-but-hard-to-believe-for-someone-who-say/) Madz > [“It’s hard to feel supported when you can’t tell people everything. People haven’t really got a clue what it’s like. It’s hard to trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-jamieson/it-s-hard-to-feel-supported-when-you-can-t-tell-people-everything/) [Alice Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-jamieson/) > [ “\[S\]he hardly deserved to be labeled a witch.' 'I find it hard to believe anyone could take such a thing seriously. This isn't the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connie-brockway/s-he-hardly-deserved-to-be-labeled-a-witch-i-find-it-hard-to-believe/) [Connie Brockway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connie-brockway/) > [It's hard to believe sometimes that I am the world record holder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armand-duplantis/it-s-hard-to-believe-sometimes-that-i-am-the-world-record-holder/) [Armand Duplantis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armand-duplantis/) > [“I remember reading about these primitive initiation rituals in school. They had one where they take the kid way out into the wilderness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-tharp/i-remember-reading-about-these-primitive-initiation-rituals-in-school/) [Tim Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-tharp/) > [In the nineteeth century, knitting was prescribed to women as a cure for nervousness and hysteria. Many new knitters find this sort of hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-pearl-mcphee/in-the-nineteeth-century-knitting-was-prescribed-to-women-as-a-cure/) [Stephanie Pearl-McPhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-pearl-mcphee/) > [Today is my grandfather's birthday." "How old is he?" "Sixty-three. It's hard to believe he was once a human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schulz/today-is-my-grandfather-s-birthday-how-old-is-he-sixty-three-it-s/) [Charles M. Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schulz/) > [“He dusted off the shoulder tab and stared at it, so light in his hand, so inconsequential. It was hard to believe that a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mills/he-dusted-off-the-shoulder-tab-and-stared-at-it-so-light-in-his-hand/) [Mark Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mills/) > [“It's hard to believe that this is how it's done. That this is how we get here into the world, by accident or design,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-chaon/it-s-hard-to-believe-that-this-is-how-it-s-done-that-this-is-how-we/) [Dan Chaon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-chaon/) > [If you stumble over mere believability, what are you living for? Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/if-you-stumble-over-mere-believability-what-are-you-living-for-love/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) Browse all 487 Hard to believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“...studies show that in general, optimists die ten years earlier than pessimists.\" \"I find that hard to believe\" \"Of course you do, you're an optimist. You have a misguided belief that things will go your way. You don't see the dangers till it's too late. Pessimists are more realistic. \"That seems like a sad way to govern your life.\" \"It's a safe way to govern your life.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Susin Nielsen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susin-nielsen/studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-die-ten-years-earlier-than/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hard to believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susin-nielsen/studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-die-ten-years-earlier-than/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/susin-nielsen-68715_hard-to-believe_studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-d_2485597.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/susin-nielsen-68715_hard-to-believe_studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-d_2485597.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/susin-nielsen-68715_hard-to-believe_studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-d_2485597.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“...studies show that in general, optimists die ten years earlier than pessimists.\" \"I find that hard to…” — Susin Nielsen", "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": "Susin Nielsen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susin-nielsen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“...studies show that in general, optimists...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susin-nielsen/studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-die-ten-years-earlier-than/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susin-nielsen/studies-show-that-in-general-optimists-die-ten-years-earlier-than/#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 } } ] } ```