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

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

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 whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.

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

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

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

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...

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

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

Middle Age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us,...

Middle Age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us,...

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...

We live in a culture that discourages empathy. A culture that too often tells us...

We live in a culture that discourages empathy. A culture that too often tells us...

Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves,...

Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves,...

When you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens...

When you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens...

I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing...

I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing...

Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must...

Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must...

I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not...

I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not...