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.
“The highest result of education is tolerance. Long ago men fought and died for their faith; but it took ages to teach them the other kind of courage—the courage to recognize the faiths of their brethren and their rights of conscience. Tolerance is the first principle of community; it is the spirit which conserves the best that all men think.”
Helen Keller
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
— Helen Keller Primary source“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.”
— 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“That which each can do best, none but his Maker can teach him.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“The true democracy, living and growing and inspiring, puts its faith in the people—faith that the people will not simply elect men who will represent their views ably and faithfully, but also elect men who will exercise their conscientious judgment—faith that the people will not condemn those whose devotion to principle leads them to unpopular courses, but will reward courage, respect honor and ultimately recognize right.”
— John F. Kennedy Primary source“As long as I have any choice, I will only stay in a country where political liberty, tolerance, and equality of all citizens before the law prevail.”
— Albert Einstein Primary source“Let him think I am more man than I am and I will be so.”
— Ernest Hemingway Primary source