If someone tells you he is going to make ‘a realistic decision,’ you immediately understand that he is going to do something bad. Mary McCarthy
The visionary is the only true realist. Federico Fellini
In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles. David Ben Gurion
True realism consists in revealing the surprising things which habit keeps covered and prevents us from seeing. Jean Cocteau
I hate vulgar realism in literature. The man who could call a spade a spade should be compelled to use one. It is the only thing he is fit for. Oscar Wilde
An idealist believes the short run doesn’t count. A cynic believes the long run doesn’t matter. A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run. Sydney J Harris
When you’re young, try to be realistic; as you get older, become idealistic. You’ll live longer. Anthony D’Angelo
To be realistic today is to be visionary. To be realistic is to be starry-eyed. Hubert Humphrey