“No matter how dull, or how mean, or how wise a man is, he feels that happiness is his indisputable right.”
Helen Keller
Optimism (Primary source)
Optimism presents Keller’s philosophy that despite her deafness and blindness, true happiness comes from inner faith rather than material circumstances. She argues optimism enables achievement and is essential for human progress and personal fulfillment.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.”
— Helen Keller Primary source“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
— Helen Keller Primary source“The test of all beliefs is their practical effect in life. It be true that optimism compels the world forward, and pessimism retards it, them it is dangerous to propagate a pessimistic philosophy.”
— Helen Keller Primary source“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.”
— Helen Keller Primary source“The wise man draws more advantage from his enemies, than the fool from his friends.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Virtue and happiness are mother and daughter.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Any man more right than his neighbors, constitutes a majority of one already.”
— Henry David Thoreau Primary source