--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The pessimist borrows trouble; the…" description: "\"The pessimist borrows trouble; the optimists lend encouragement.\" — William Arthur Ward" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/william-arthur-ward-2681_encouragement_the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimi_2947763.png" --- # The pessimist borrows trouble; the optimists lend… ![“The pessimist borrows trouble; the optimists lend encouragement.” quote by William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/william-arthur-ward-2681_encouragement_the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimi_2947763.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/william-arthur-ward-2681_encouragement_the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimi_2947763.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/william-arthur-ward-2681_encouragement_the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimi_2947763.png) > “The pessimist borrows trouble; the optimists lend encouragement.” [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A pessimist expects problems, while an optimist offers support and hope. **In simple terms:** Pessimists expect trouble; optimists give encouragement. Key Takeaway Offer encouragement instead of focusing on problems. Themes optimism support mindset Mood hopeful empathetic Type motivational advice When to use this quote - team meetings - personal setbacks - mental health counseling Key Concepts psychology social influence Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance realistic assessment with encouragement? - When does optimism become denial? A Different Perspective Encouragement alone may not solve underlying issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Encouragement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encouragement/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [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/) [Optimists Lend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimists-lend-4427728/) [Pessimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimism/) [Pessimist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimist/) [Pessimist Borrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimist-borrows-4427729/) [Trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble/) [Trouble Optimists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble-optimists-4427730/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [“Use every person's skill set to the fullest. Both optimists and pessimists contribute. An optimist invents the hot air balloon, and a pessimist invents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/use-every-person-s-skill-set-to-the-fullest-both-optimists-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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/) > [Men are always optimists when they look inwards, and pessimists when they look round them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ouida/men-are-always-optimists-when-they-look-inwards-and-pessimists-when/) [Ouida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ouida/) > [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/) > [Pessimists are usually right and optimists are usually wrong but all the great changes have been accomplished by optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/pessimists-are-usually-right-and-optimists-are-usually-wrong-but-all/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [...the incontestable truth is that America has been built up by optimists, not by pessimists, but by men possessing courage, confidence in the nation's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/the-incontestable-truth-is-that-america-has-been-built-up-by/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [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/) > [Optimists enrich the present, enhance the future,challenge the improbable and attain the impossible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/optimists-enrich-the-present-enhance-the-future-challenge-the/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [For optimists, human life never needs justification, no matter how much hurt piles up, because they can always tell themselves that things will get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/for-optimists-human-life-never-needs-justification-no-matter-how-much/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [The positive outlook that optimists project does not come from ignoring or denying problems. Optimists simply assume that problems are temporary and can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-positive-outlook-that-optimists-project-does-not-come-from/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [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/) > [A pessimist is a person who has had to listen to too many optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-marquis/a-pessimist-is-a-person-who-has-had-to-listen-to-too-many-optimists/) [Don Marquis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-marquis/) > [we find that the optimists have an undeniable advantage over the pessimists. Many studies show that they do better on exams, in their chosen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/we-find-that-the-optimists-have-an-undeniable-advantage-over-the/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) ## More by William Arthur Ward > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [“If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/if-you-can-imagine-it-you-can-create-it-if-you-can-dream-it-you-can/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/a-friend-is-one-with-whom-you-are-comfortable-to-whom-you-are-loyal/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [We must be silent before we can listen. We must listen before we can learn. We must learn before we can prepare. We must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/we-must-be-silent-before-we-can-listen-we-must-listen-before-we-can/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [The greatest failure is the failure to try.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/the-greatest-failure-is-the-failure-to-try/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Too many of us hear without heeding, read without responding, confess without changing, profess without practicing, worship without witnessing, and seek without sharing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/too-many-of-us-hear-without-heeding-read-without-responding-confess/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [“‎"Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/do-more-than-belong-participate-do-more-than-care-help-do-more-than/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [There is one thing we can do better than anyone else: we can be ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/there-is-one-thing-we-can-do-better-than-anyone-else-we-can-be/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Enthusiasm is the match that lights the candle of achievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/enthusiasm-is-the-match-that-lights-the-candle-of-achievement/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Today's patience can transform yesterday's discouragements into tomorrow's discoveries. Today's purposes can turn yesterday's defeats into tomorrow's determination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/today-s-patience-can-transform-yesterday-s-discouragements-into/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [A life lived without forgiveness is a prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/a-life-lived-without-forgiveness-is-a-prison/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Every person has the power to make others happy. Some do it simply by entering a room others by leaving the room. Some individuals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/every-person-has-the-power-to-make-others-happy-some-do-it-simply-by/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Prepare while others are daydreaming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/prepare-while-others-are-daydreaming/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Every day is a good day to examine our prime-time priorities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/every-day-is-a-good-day-to-examine-our-prime-time-priorities/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Another fresh new year is here... Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, to love and laugh and give!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/another-fresh-new-year-is-here-another-year-to-live-to-banish-worry/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) [Explore all 155 William Arthur Ward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) ## More Encouragement quotes > [Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, you'll love it up here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/change-your-attitude-and-gain-some-altitude-believe-me-you-ll-love-it/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [“Today if anything is trying to hold you back, give no attention to it. Get your hopes up, get your faith up, look up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/today-if-anything-is-trying-to-hold-you-back-give-no-attention-to-it/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [Great people are not people who have never fallen down. Greatness has to do with how you get back up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/great-people-are-not-people-who-have-never-fallen-down-greatness-has/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [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/) > [It isn't bad judgment to make a man believe he is something. He is by nature inclined to it, and a little encouragement is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-langley-bosher/it-isn-t-bad-judgment-to-make-a-man-believe-he-is-something-he-is-by/) [Kate Langley Bosher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-langley-bosher/) > [God's plans are never beyond your reach, sometimes you just have to move closer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-lee-riner/god-s-plans-are-never-beyond-your-reach-sometimes-you-just-have-to/) [Justin Lee Riner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-lee-riner/) > [Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/instruction-does-much-but-encouragement-everything/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“What would you think if I told you that, yes, your bad choices and decisions have had a part in your ending up under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-andrews/what-would-you-think-if-i-told-you-that-yes-your-bad-choices-and/) [Andy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-andrews/) > [“I have learned that positive encouragement and positive advice is limited to the believers not the masses”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-edgar-alamo/i-have-learned-that-positive-encouragement-and-positive-advice-is/) [Herbert Edgar Alamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-edgar-alamo/) > [“Intercourse is one thing, Intimacy is everything. Be encouraged”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-e-wagner/intercourse-is-one-thing-intimacy-is-everything-be-encouraged/) [Kerry E. Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-e-wagner/) > [“Don’t be afraid of your struggles, they are making you dangerously strong and wise. They are preparing you for your superpowers. Let them happen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-lee/don-t-be-afraid-of-your-struggles-they-are-making-you-dangerously/) [Melody Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-lee/) > [I really want people to know that I've worked hard, very hard, to get to where I am today.. this didn't just happen overnight.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-really-want-people-to-know-that-i-ve-worked-hard-very-hard-to-get/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [If people are kicking you in the behind, at least you're in front of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/if-people-are-kicking-you-in-the-behind-at-least-you-re-in-front-of/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Our words are very powerful, always make sure that you use the right words, which encourages people instead of discouraging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/our-words-are-very-powerful-always-make-sure-that-you-use-the-right/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [When we start focusing on things we can do and don't think so much about the things we can't do, things really start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/when-we-start-focusing-on-things-we-can-do-and-don-t-think-so-much/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 2,407 Encouragement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encouragement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The pessimist borrows trouble; the optimists lend encouragement.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Arthur Ward" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimists-lend-encouragement/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Encouragement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimists-lend-encouragement/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/william-arthur-ward-2681_encouragement_the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimi_2947763.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/william-arthur-ward-2681_encouragement_the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimi_2947763.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/william-arthur-ward-2681_encouragement_the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimi_2947763.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The pessimist borrows trouble; the optimists lend encouragement.” — William Arthur Ward", "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": "William Arthur Ward", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The pessimist borrows trouble; the optimists...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimists-lend-encouragement/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/the-pessimist-borrows-trouble-the-optimists-lend-encouragement/#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 } } ] } ```