An idealist believes the short run doesn't count. A cynic believes the long run doesn't matter. A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run.

Quote by Sydney J Harris

Topics: Belief Quotes, Idealism Quotes, Realism Quotes

When we have 'second thoughts' about something, our first thoughts don't seem like thoughts at...

When we have 'second thoughts' about something, our first thoughts don't seem like thoughts at...

The two words 'information' and 'communication' are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different...

The two words 'information' and 'communication' are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different...

An idealist believes the short run doesn't count. A cynic believes the long run doesn't...

An idealist believes the short run doesn't count. A cynic believes the long run doesn't...

Knowledge fills a large brain; it merely inflates a small one.

Knowledge fills a large brain; it merely inflates a small one.

Nobody can be so amusingly arrogant as a young man who has just discovered an...

Nobody can be so amusingly arrogant as a young man who has just discovered an...

An idealist believes the short run doesn't count. A cynic believes the long run doesn't...

An idealist believes the short run doesn't count. A cynic believes the long run doesn't...

The art of living consists in knowing which impulses to obey and which must be...

The art of living consists in knowing which impulses to obey and which must be...

The art of listening needs its highest development in listening to oneself; our most important...

The art of listening needs its highest development in listening to oneself; our most important...

Many a secret that cannot be pried out by curiosity can be drawn out by...

Many a secret that cannot be pried out by curiosity can be drawn out by...

If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate...

If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate...

The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that...

The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that...

The three hardest tasks in the world are neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements, but...

The three hardest tasks in the world are neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements, but...

When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared...

When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared...

Any philosophy that can be put in a nutshell belongs there.

Any philosophy that can be put in a nutshell belongs there.

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.

The most important thing in an argument, next to being right, is to leave an...

The most important thing in an argument, next to being right, is to leave an...

The greatest enemy of progress is not stagnation, but false progress.

The greatest enemy of progress is not stagnation, but false progress.

It's surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward...

It's surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward...

Sometimes the best, and only effective, way to kill an idea is to put it...

Sometimes the best, and only effective, way to kill an idea is to put it...

Ignorance per se is not nearly as dangerous as ignorance of ignorance.

Ignorance per se is not nearly as dangerous as ignorance of ignorance.