The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy.
Meaning of the quote
Optimism means focusing on the future, not just the present. It gives you energy, hope, and the courage to believe in yourself, even when others have given up. Optimism helps you look ahead and make the future your own, instead of letting your problems or enemies control it.
About Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who was a key member of the Confessing Church and a vocal opponent of the Nazi regime. He was arrested in 1943 for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler and was eventually executed in 1945 during the collapse of the Nazi regime.
More quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer
To endure the cross is not tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
Human love has little regard for the truth. It makes the truth relative, since nothing, not even the truth, must come between it and the beloved person.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
It is the nature, and the advantage, of strong people that they can bring out the crucial questions and form a clear opinion about them. The weak always have to decide between alternatives that are not their own.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
A god who let us prove his existence would be an idol.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
God’s truth judges created things out of love, and Satan’s truth judges them out of envy and hatred.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
Politics are not the task of a Christian.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
It is the characteristic excellence of the strong man that he can bring momentous issues to the fore and make a decision about them. The weak are always forced to decide between alternatives they have not chosen themselves.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident
Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.
German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident