We are so constituted by Nature that we easily believe the things we hope for, but believe only with difficulty those we fear, and that we regard such things more or less highly than is just. This is the source of the superstitions by which men everywhere are troubled. For the rest, I don
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher
Hope is a prodigal young heir, and experience is his banker, but his drafts are seldom honored since there is often a heavy balance against him, because he draws largely on a small capital and is not yet in possession.
—Charles Caleb Colton (1780–1832) English Angelic Priest, Writer, Collector
Hope — of all ills that men endure, the only cheap and universal cure; the captive’s freedom, and the sick man s health, the lover’s victory, and the beggar’s wealth.
—Abraham Cowley (1618–67) English Poet
Hope — fortune’s cheating lottery, where for one prize, a hundred blanks there be.
—Abraham Cowley (1618–67) English Poet
Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired.
—Erik Erikson (1902–94) German-born American Psychologist, Psychoanalyst, Writer
My theory has always been, that if we are to dream, the flatteries of hope are as cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
It is worth a thousand pounds a year to have the habit of looking on the bright side of things.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist, Biographer, Poet, Writer, Literary Critic
He that lives upon hope will die fasting.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political leader, Inventor, Diplomat, Author
Hope is the major weapon against the suicide impulse.
—Karl Menninger (1893–1990) American Psychiatrist
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author, Social Activist, Educator
Pleasure is very seldom found where it is sought. Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks. The flowers which scatter their odours from time to time in the paths of life, grow up without culture from seeds scattered by chance. Nothing is more hopeless than a scheme of merriment.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist, Biographer, Poet, Writer, Literary Critic
None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom to those who are not free.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
Life without idealism is empty indeed. We just hope or starve to death.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
The men whom I have seen succeed best in life always have been cheerful and hopeful men; who went about their business with a smile on their faces; and took the changes and chances of this mortal life like men; facing rough and smooth alike as it came.
—Charles Kingsley (1819–75) English Clergyman, Academic, Historian, Novelist
Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope alive.
—Jesse Jackson (b.1941) American Baptist Civil Rights Activist, Minister
Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible.
—William Sloane Coffin (1924–2006) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Peace Activist
There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher
Hope is a vigorous principle; it is furnished with light and heat to advise and execute; it sets the head and heart to work, and animates a man to do his utmost. And thus, by perpetually pushing and assurance, it puts a difficulty out of countenance, and makes a seeming impossibility give way.
—Jeremy Collier (1650–1726) English Anglican Theater Critic, Theologian
Hope is the most beneficial of all the affections, and doth much to the prolongation of life, if it be not too often frustrated; but entertaineth the fancy with an expectation of good.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher, Political leader, Scientist, Lawyer
Of all ills that one endures, hope is a cheap and universal cure.
—Abraham Cowley (1618–67) English Poet
My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014) African-American Poet, Author, Civil Rights Activist
Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous; it is nothing if it is not ridiculous.
—Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) American Novelist, Playwright
Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to do but keep his house open to hope.
—John Ciardi (1916–86) American Poet, Teacher, Etymologist, Translator
Fear cannot be without hope nor hope without fear.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher
Whatever enlarges hope will also exalt courage.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist, Biographer, Poet, Writer, Literary Critic
We must have hope or starve to death.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
There is nothing that fear or hope does not make men believe.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) French Moralist, Essayist, Writer
To eat bread without hope is still slowly to starve to death.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
Just as dumb creatures are snared by food, human beings would not be caught unless they had a nibble of hope.
—Petronius Roman Courtier, Novelist
Honor begets honor, trust begets trust; faith begets faith; and hope is the mainspring of life.
—Henry L. Stimson (1867–1950) American Political leader, Military Leader, Lawyer
The trouble with most people is that they think with their hopes or fears or wishes rather than with their minds.
—William C. Durant (1861–1947) American Entrepreneur, Business
It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet, I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever-approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.
—Anne Frank (1929–45) German Holocaust Victim
I know the world is filled with troubles and many injustices. But reality is as beautiful as it is ugly. I think it is just as important to sing about beautiful mornings as it is to talk about slums. I just couldn’t write anything without hope in it.
—Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960) American Songwriter, Composer, Theater Producer, Writer
Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, of sickness, or captivity, would, without this comfort, be insupportable; nor does it appear that the happiest lot of terrestrial existence can set us above the want of this general blessing; or that life, when the gifts of nature and of fortune are accumulated upon it, would not still be wretched, were it not elevated and delighted by the expectation of some new possession, of some enjoyment yet behind, by which the wish shall at last be satisfied, and the heart filled up to its utmost extent.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist, Biographer, Poet, Writer, Literary Critic
Hope is a pleasant acquaintance, but an unsafe friend, not the man for your banker, though he may do for a traveling companion.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Businessperson, Judge
Your hopes, dreams and aspirations are legitimate. They are trying to take you airborne, above the clouds, above the storms, if you only let them.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Honest winter, snow clad and with the frosted beard, I can welcome not uncordially; but that long deferment of the calendar’s promise, that weeping loom of March and April, that bitter blast outraging the honor of May — how often has it robbed me of heart and hope.
—George Gissing (1857–1903) English Novelist
The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope.
—Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) America Architect, Writer, Educator
Hope is an adventure, a going forward — a confident search for a rewarding life.
—Karl Menninger (1893–1990) American Psychiatrist
In time of trouble avert not thy face from hope, for the soft marrow abideth in the hard bone.
—Hafez (1325–89) Persian Poet, Mystic
Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher, Political leader, Scientist, Lawyer
People who build hope into their own lives and who share hope with others become powerful people.
—Zig Ziglar (b.1926) American Author, Motivational Speaker, Author
Hope is a light diet, but very stimulating.
—Honore de Balzac
Our children are our only hope for the future, but we are their only hope for their present and their future.
—Zig Ziglar (b.1926) American Author, Motivational Speaker, Author
Hope is independent of the apparatus of logic.
—Norman Cousins (1915–90) American Journalist, Author, Academic, Activist