"Live constructively and live optimistically"
About this Quote
The intent is motivational, but not sentimental. Montapert, writing as a mid-century philosopher in an era marked by world wars, Cold War dread, and rapid technological upheaval, is staking a claim against both nihilism and passive positivity. The subtext: cynicism is easy, anxiety is contagious, and “realism” is often just a socially acceptable form of surrender. To live optimistically without living constructively is delusion; to live constructively without optimism is burnout masquerading as virtue. The quote works because it refuses those half-measures.
Rhetorically, the repetition of “live” functions like a drumbeat: life isn’t a belief you hold, it’s a practice you repeat. No grand theory, no metaphysical scaffolding - just a two-part mandate that makes character measurable. In a culture addicted to hot takes and doomscrolling, Montapert’s line is almost countercultural: not “think differently,” but do something that lasts, and let your outlook be the fuel, not the product.
Quote Details
| Topic | Optimism |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Montapert, Alfred A. (2026, January 15). Live constructively and live optimistically. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/live-constructively-and-live-optimistically-157679/
Chicago Style
Montapert, Alfred A. "Live constructively and live optimistically." FixQuotes. January 15, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/live-constructively-and-live-optimistically-157679/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"Live constructively and live optimistically." FixQuotes, 15 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/live-constructively-and-live-optimistically-157679/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.










