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

There's no point in burying a hatchet if you're going to put up a marker...

There's no point in burying a hatchet if you're going to put up a marker...

People who think they're generous to a fault usually think that's their only fault.

People who think they're generous to a fault usually think that's their only fault.

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...

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...

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...

Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they...

Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they...

Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what...

Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what...

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

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

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

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

Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume...

Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume...

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...

The beauty of spacing children many years apart lies in the fact that parents have...

The beauty of spacing children many years apart lies in the fact that parents have...

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 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...

Enemies, as well as lovers, come to resemble each other over a period of time.

Enemies, as well as lovers, come to resemble each other over a period of time.

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...

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...

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...