Pessimist Versus Optimist
The pessimist finds fault;
the optimist discovers a remedy.
The pessimist seeks sympathy;
the optimist spreads cheer.
The pessimist criticizes circumstances;
the optimist changes conditions.
The pessimist complains about the apple seeds;
the optimist plants them.
The pessimist imagines impending peril;
the optimist sees signs of prosperity.
The pessimist disparages;
the optimist encourages.
The pessimist creates loneliness;
the optimist finds friends.
The pessimist nibbles at the negative;
the optimist is nourished by the positive.
The pessimist builds barriers;
the optimist removes roadblocks.
The pessimist invents trouble;
the optimist enriches the environment.
By William A. Ward
William Arthur Ward was born on 17 December 1921 in Louisiana, United States of America. He became a Private in the United States Army in 1942, and left the military four years later as a Captain. He then attended McMurry University before eventually receiving a Master’s Degree from Oklahoma State University. William Arthur Ward was the writer of the column “Pertinent Proverbs” in the Fort Worth “Star-Telegram” newspaper, author of the book “Fountains of Faith” (1970), and the writer of more than 100 articles and poems that were published in magazines including “Reader’s Digest,” “The Christian Home,” and “Sunshine.” He was an editor, teacher, motivational speaker, college administrator, and a pastor. He served on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations. He is perhaps best remembered as one of America’s most quoted writers of inspirational maxims. William Arthur Ward passed on at 72 years of age on 30 March 1994.
The pessimist finds fault;
the optimist discovers a remedy.
The pessimist seeks sympathy;
the optimist spreads cheer.
The pessimist criticizes circumstances;
the optimist changes conditions.
The pessimist complains about the apple seeds;
the optimist plants them.
The pessimist imagines impending peril;
the optimist sees signs of prosperity.
The pessimist disparages;
the optimist encourages.
The pessimist creates loneliness;
the optimist finds friends.
The pessimist nibbles at the negative;
the optimist is nourished by the positive.
The pessimist builds barriers;
the optimist removes roadblocks.
The pessimist invents trouble;
the optimist enriches the environment.
By William A. Ward
William Arthur Ward was born on 17 December 1921 in Louisiana, United States of America. He became a Private in the United States Army in 1942, and left the military four years later as a Captain. He then attended McMurry University before eventually receiving a Master’s Degree from Oklahoma State University. William Arthur Ward was the writer of the column “Pertinent Proverbs” in the Fort Worth “Star-Telegram” newspaper, author of the book “Fountains of Faith” (1970), and the writer of more than 100 articles and poems that were published in magazines including “Reader’s Digest,” “The Christian Home,” and “Sunshine.” He was an editor, teacher, motivational speaker, college administrator, and a pastor. He served on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations. He is perhaps best remembered as one of America’s most quoted writers of inspirational maxims. William Arthur Ward passed on at 72 years of age on 30 March 1994.
