If you assume people are basically good, you'll be constantly disappointed. Expecting the worst actually makes you happier because you're rarely surprised by what people do. A realistic view of human nature beats naive optimism.
If you think people are basically good, you are far more likely to be constantly disappointed. Whereas if you understand people are not basically good, you are far more likely to be constantly exhilarated. Big difference, isn't it? Wow, despite human nature, look at all these good people in my life. As opposed to, oh, human nature is good, how did I get stuck with not good people? Surprise is a big factor. In unhappiness. If you're not surprised, you're more likely to handle it okay. If you're naive about human nature, you're going to have a lot more unhappiness than if you are rational about human nature.
Life, Legacy, and a Dangerous Mission in the Soviet Union | Sunday Fireside Chat
