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About this quote

What does it mean?
A character optimistically claims this is the best world, while another cynically notes its high cost.
In plain terms
One person sees the world as perfect, another sees it as too expensive.
What can you take from it?
Optimism often ignores the practical costs of reality.

Where it applies

  • philosophical debate
  • financial stress
  • social commentary

Putting it to work

  • analyze cost vs benefit
  • question optimism

Questions to consider

  • What does best mean to you?
  • Is perfection worth the price?

Another view

The joke relies on knowing the context of the play or film.

More from Woody Allen

  1. Boris: If it turns out that there IS a God, I don't think that he's evil. I think that the worst you can say about him is that basically he's an underachiever.

    Permalink to quote #43
  2. As the poet said, 'Only God can make a tree'-probably because it's so hard to figure out how to get the bark on.

    Permalink to quote #45
  3. Boris: I was walking through the woods, thinking about Christ. If he was a carpenter, I wondered what he charged for bookshelves.

    Permalink to quote #42

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