An optimist considers the possibility that things could get worse than they are at present, but eventually believes that they won't. A pessimist considers the possibility that things could get better than they are at present, but eventually believes that they won't.
It follows then that optimists believe things are so bad that they can only get better, and pessimists that things are so good that they just couldn't get any better.
So who has a more positive attitude in dealing with the present?
