Pessimistic? Optimistic?

The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he knows too little.
Mark Twain

Can you guess why this quote crossed my mind after the debate about the film INVICTUS on Friday? 

I should say I much prefer the first verse of Invictus:

Out of the night that covers me
Black as the pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.


(By the way, it was a great idea to bring the poem to class :-))