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Literary notes about pessimism (AI summary)

The term "pessimism" in literature is rich in nuance, serving both as a descriptor of philosophical stances and as a reflection of personal or cultural moods. In philosophical texts, it is often explored as a form of moral or metaphysical doubt—seen, for instance, when it is closely examined in relation to a broader worldview and even as an element that can be transformed into a form of strength ([1],[2],[3]). At the same time, writers employ pessimism to capture the emotional and existential states of characters, using it to underscore themes of despair, resignation, or even ironic self-awareness in everyday life ([4],[5]). This layered usage allows pessimism to function not only as a critique of excessive negativity—sometimes lampooned for its overuse—but also as an integral component of broader discussions on the nature of truth, art, and human experience ([6],[7]).
  1. What, however, is the nature of Pascal's moral pessimism, and the metaphysical pessimism of the Vedânta-Philosophy?
    — from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV by Nietzsche
  2. The pessimism of doubt (shyness in regard to everything fixed, in regard to all grasping and touching).
    — from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV by Nietzsche
  3. Let us halt a moment before this symptom of highest culture, I call it the pessimism of strength.
    — from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV by Nietzsche
  4. At that moment she looked forward to the future with a pessimism that would have done credit to Eliza Andrews herself.
    — from Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery
  5. “She is awfully depressed,” Vassya whispers in his ear, “such gloomy thoughts, such pessimism.
    — from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
  6. —Away with the disgustingly over-used words optimism and pessimism!
    — from Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
  7. The collective value of the world defies valuation; for this reason philosophical pessimism belongs to the order of farces.
    — from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV by Nietzsche

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