In 1965, U.S. military officer James Stockdale fought in the Vietnam War and was captured and imprisoned in a Prisoner of War (POW) camp. Enduring harsh torture and suffering with unshakable willpower, he returned alive to his homeland eight years later. Although he walked with a limp due to the aftereffects of torture, he appeared relatively healthy. Many people asked him the secret of his survival.
Stockdale replied:
“Those who were only optimistic, thinking they would be released soon, couldn’t endure the hardship in the face of disappointment and ended up dying. I was able to survive to the end because I firmly held onto the hope that I would be freed someday, while also accepting the reality as it was and preparing for it.”
This is where the term “Stockdale Paradox” originated. It refers to rational optimism—overcoming hardship by facing reality exactly as it is, while maintaining unwavering faith that things will turn out well in the end.
When we look to the future with hope, strength and courage rise up within us. And when we look at reality with a clear and calm mind, we come to understand what we must do and what we can do in our current situation. Optimism and rationality may seem contradictory at first glance, but neither can be neglected. The future ahead of us is the result of the attitudes we hold and the actions we take today.