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

In this quote, Don Marquis humorously explains that a pessimist is someone who has been influenced or even worn down by the overly positive outlooks of optimists. The suggestion is that constant exposure to overly idealistic or overly hopeful perspectives can cause someone to develop a more negative or realistic view of the world. The quote plays on the idea that optimism can sometimes be so relentless or detached from reality that it pushes others toward the opposite extreme—pessimism.

Marquis's statement also points to the idea of balance in attitudes and how extremes on either side can have an impact on one’s perspective. A pessimist, in this view, might not be born with a negative outlook but may have developed it as a reaction to too much unrealistic optimism. The quote highlights how the external influence of others' attitudes can shape our own ways of thinking, sometimes to the point of overcompensating in the opposite direction.

The origin of this quote comes from Don Marquis, an American humorist, journalist, and writer. Marquis was known for his wit and satirical take on human nature, and this quote exemplifies his sharp commentary on how people react to social dynamics and ideologies. The quote is typical of his humorous style, where he often used irony and satire to shed light on human behavior, exposing the absurdities in how we approach life’s challenges and philosophies.