Keep a light, hopeful heart. But ­expect the worst.

When a kingdom rests on it, I always expect difficulty. Then, if there is none, no blame. But if there is, one is prepared.

A mouth of no distinction but well practiced, before I entered my teens, in irony. For what is irony but the repository of hurt? And what is hurt but the repository of hope?

There must be logical minds among all species if they hope to survive. Not everyone can be bridled with hope and optimism.

He who has never hoped can never despair

The optimist's hope and the pessimist's despair: reciprocal illusions.