Who said “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in…”?

Misattributed

Not Winston Churchill. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundNot by Winston Churchill. Earliest known source: Tentatively Bertram Carr, Mayor of Carlisle (1919).

Evidence: Quote Investigator · Wikiquote · How we check

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“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
— Winston Churchill
MisattributedNot by Winston Churchill. Earliest known source: Tentatively Bertram Carr, Mayor of Carlisle (1919). · evidenceOpportunity
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Cite this quote

APA

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” [Quotation attributed to Winston Churchill]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/31565-the-pessimist-sees-difficulty-in-every-opportunity-the/

MLA

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Attributed to Winston Churchill. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/31565-the-pessimist-sees-difficulty-in-every-opportunity-the/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Attributed to Winston Churchill. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/31565-the-pessimist-sees-difficulty-in-every-opportunity-the/.

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