Summary
This quote suggests that optimism can be seen as a form of psychological escape or intoxication. It implies that people may often resort to optimism as a means to temporarily forget or disregard harsh realities and challenges in their lives. Similar to how opium provides temporary relief from physical pain, optimism can offer a temporary sense of hope and relief from the difficulties one faces. However, it also implies that excessive or blind optimism can result in a lack of critical thinking or an avoidance of necessary actions to overcome challenges effectively.