Either we have hope within us
Or we don't.

It is a dimension of the soul, and
Is not particularly dependent
On some observation of the world.

It transcends the world
That is immediately experienced
And is anchored somewhere
Beyond the horizons.

Hope
In the deep and powerful sense
Is not the same as joy
That things are going well
Or willingness to invest in enterprises
That are obviously headed for early success,
But rather the ability to work for something
Because it is good.
Not just because it stands a chance to succeed.

Hope
Is definitely not
The same as optimism.
It is not the conviction
That something will turn out well,
But the certainty
That something makes sense
Regardless of how it turns out.

It is hope
Above all, which gives us the strength to live
And continually try new things.

Vaclav Havel, Living in Truth