The idealist is incorrigible: if he is thrown out of heaven he makes an ideal of his hell. Friedrich Nietzsche
However top lofty and idealistic a man may be, he can always rationalise his right to earn money. Raymond Chandler
An idealist is one who, on noticing that a rose smells better than a cabbage, concludes that it will also make better soup. H L Mencken
When you’re young, try to be realistic; as you get older, become idealistic. You’ll live longer. Anthony D’Angelo