"A pessimist is a person who has had to listen to too many optimists."

Life

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Insight & Reflection

Words carry weight, and Don Marquis's insight into life is no exception. It serves as a gentle reminder that amidst the chaos of modern life, timeless wisdom still holds the power to guide our decisions and clarify our values.

About Don Marquis

Donald Robert Perry Marquis was an American humorist, journalist, and author. He was variously a novelist, poet, newspaper columnist, and playwright. He is remembered best for creating the characters Archy and Mehitabel, Archy being a supposed author of humorous verse. During his lifetime he was equally famous for creating another fictitious character, "the Old Soak," who was the subject of two books, a hit Broadway play (1922–23), a silent film (1926) and a talkie (1937).

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by Don Marquis

"Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough."

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"Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough."

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"Of middle age the best that can be said is that a middle-aged person has likely learned how to have a little fun in spite of his troubles."

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More about Life

"There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."

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"To revolt is a natural tendency of life. Even a worm turns against the foot that crushes it. In general, the vitality and relative dignity of an animal can be measured by the intensity of its instinct to revolt."

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"A quiet mind perceives the subtle truths that noisy ambitions constantly drown out. Reflect upon this whenever doubt clouds your horizon — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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