Optimist vs Pessimist
Optimist and Pessimist are two different words between which a number of differences can be identified. These words are often confused when it comes to their real meanings. In fact, it can be said that both are exactly opposite to each other in their meanings. First let us try to understand the meaning behind the two words. An optimist is one who looks at the brighter side of life. On the other hand, a pessimist is one who looks at the darker side of life. This is the main difference between the two words. Even when looking at our lives, we can identify whether we are optimists and pessimists. This article attempts to highlight the differences that can be identified between the two words, while providing an elaborative description of the words.
Who is an Optimist?
An optimist is a person who always hopes for the best. He never gives up challenges. An optimist does his best to get things done by some means or the other. This highlights that an optimist has the potential to look at the bright side of things and make an effort. An optimist loves adventures. He hopes that time will change the given bad situation to a good situation. An optimist always hopes that a better position would result from a good position, and the best position would result from a better position. An optimist cannot be easily subdued. This is one of the key differences when engaging in a comparison between an optimistic and pessimistic person. , Unlike an optimist, a pessimist can be very easily subdued. This is because of the fact that an optimist looks at the possible improvement of bad situations. Even when a situation is very hard and, you feel like giving up, an optimist can find out at least one good thing and strive for excellence. It is very easily to work with a person who has an optimistic outlook on life since they can make the best of what they have. Even in relationships and friendships. People prefer those who are bright and optimistic rather than pessimistic. This is because an optimistic person knows to appreciate and be happy. Now let us look at the characteristics of a pessimist.
Who is a Pessimist?
A pessimist is a person who always things about the worst. Unlike an optimist who tries to succeed even in a difficult situation, a pessimist does not. This makes him give up all challenges very easily. This is another difference between the two words because the moment a pessimist encounters a difficulty he would prefer to give up, rather than try to make it work somehow. A pessimist thinks that nothing can be done in a given situation and does not try to do any adventurous things. A pessimist is exactly opposite to an optimist in this regard. He thinks that a worse situation would result from a bad situation, and the worst situation would result from a worse situation. This is one of the main differences between an optimist and a pessimist. A pessimist looks at the possible further degradation of the bad situations. A pessimist always manages to find faults in situations and make it difficult not only for him but also for others as well. This highlights the main differences between the two types. Now let us sum up the differences in the following manner.
What is the Difference Between an Optimist and Pessimist?
• An optimist is one who looks at the brighter side of life, but a pessimist is one who looks at the darker side of life.
• An optimist cannot be easily subdued, but a pessimist can be easily subdued.
• A pessimist is a person who always things about the worst which makes him give up all challenges very easily whereas an optimist tries to make it work no matter how hard the situation is.
Image Courtesy:
1.Positive_psychology_optimism by Nevit Dilmen [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
2.Pessimist_Punch_cartoon by Gutenberg [Public Domain], Wikimedia Commons
