I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams.

The line contrasts aspiration (“dreams”) with fear and doubt (“nightmares”), asserting that a compelling positive vision can supply the resilience needed to overcome anxiety, setbacks, or looming threats. Attributed to Salk, it is often read through the lens of scientific and humanitarian work: progress is driven not only by technical problem‑solving but by an animating purpose that makes risks and uncertainties bearable. The quote frames courage as motivational rather than merely stoic—nightmares are not denied, but subordinated to a larger commitment. Its appeal lies in turning inner conflict into a hierarchy of values: what one hopes to build can be stronger than what one fears.