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

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...

When you run into someone who is disagreeable to others, you may be sure he...

When you run into someone who is disagreeable to others, you may be sure he...

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...

Nothing is as easy to make as a promise this winter to do something next...

Nothing is as easy to make as a promise this winter to do something next...

Almost no one is foolish enough to imagine that he automatically deserves great success in...

Almost no one is foolish enough to imagine that he automatically deserves great success in...

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 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...

Men make counterfeit money; in many more cases, money makes counterfeit men.

Men make counterfeit money; in many more cases, money makes counterfeit men.

Ninety percent of the world's woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their...

Ninety percent of the world's woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their...

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...

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.

Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for...

Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for...

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

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

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...

Ninety percent of the world's woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their...

Ninety percent of the world's woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their...

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...

Somebody who never got over the embarrassing fact that he was born in bed with...

Somebody who never got over the embarrassing fact that he was born in bed with...

The primary purpose of a liberal education is to make one's mind a pleasant place...

The primary purpose of a liberal education is to make one's mind a pleasant place...

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.