Howard Jacobson Quotes

The best advice I can give anybody about going out into the world is this: Don't do it. I have been out there. It is a mess....

I think it's dangerous to be optimistic.

I've never been an optimist.

I find nothing more depressing than optimism.

We all agree that pessimism is a mark of superior intellect.

We can destroy ourselves by cynicism and disillusion, just as effectively as by bombs.

I have never believed much in luck, and my sense of humor has tended to walk on the dark side.

Pessimism is only the name that men of weak nerves give to wisdom.

Criticism and pessimism destroy families, undermine institutions of all kinds, defeat nearly everyone, and spread a shroud of gloom over entire nations.

I'm not optimistic.

I think there's an enormous value to being negative. The world we live in today, negativity is not permitted.

I have a 'hope for the best, expect the worst' mentality.

I'm not Pollyanna.

Sometimes it's hard not to feel really negative.

Pessimism is only the name that men of weak nerve give to wisdom.

Always predict the worst, and you'll be hailed as a prophet.

To be honest I'm not going to sell dreams like everybody else does and say, "Sure, it can be changed." I don't want to seem like a pessimist, but nothing's getting better.

The man who isn't a pessimist is a damned fool.

He that best understands the world, least likes it

I am not cynical. I am just old. I know what is going to happen next.

Perpetual optimism is annoying. It is a sign that you are not paying attention.

Don't ever make the mistake with people like me thinking we are looking for heroes. There aren't any and if there were, they would be killed immediately. I'm never surprised by bad behaviour. I expect it.

I’m not a child. Don’t talk to me like I am. (Kiara) No, you’re worse. You’re an adult who still thinks the world is a beautiful place, filled with people who will help you just for the sake of being nice. Wake up and smell the bloodbath and humility the rest of us have to cope with. (Syn)

An optimist in Canada is someone who think things could be worse

The whole thing is quite hopeless, so it's no good worrying about tomorrow. It probably won't come.