Sunday, December 30, 2007
optimism
It is at this time of the year in particular that we think about what the future may hold for us. Are we like the rabbi in the following anecdote?
A rabbi was present at the creation. After the sixth day, when the Lord was resting, he looked at his handiwork and turned to the rabbi and asked, "Well, Rabbi, what do you think? Are you optimistic or pessimistic?" The rabbi hesitated, frowned deeply, shook his head and clucked his tongue and finally said to the Lord, "Well, I'm optimistic."
And the Lord, in surprise, said, "Well, if you're optimistic, why are you frowning?"
And the rabbi said, "I'm frowning because I believe my optimism is unjustified."
-- Herman Kahn
A rabbi was present at the creation. After the sixth day, when the Lord was resting, he looked at his handiwork and turned to the rabbi and asked, "Well, Rabbi, what do you think? Are you optimistic or pessimistic?" The rabbi hesitated, frowned deeply, shook his head and clucked his tongue and finally said to the Lord, "Well, I'm optimistic."
And the Lord, in surprise, said, "Well, if you're optimistic, why are you frowning?"
And the rabbi said, "I'm frowning because I believe my optimism is unjustified."
-- Herman Kahn
