Unfortunately, the balance of nature decrees that a superabundance of dreams is paid for by a growing potential for nightmares.

The line appears in a 1989 newspaper piece by Peter Ustinov reflecting on the United States, which he describes as especially fertile ground for aspirations and idealism; he adds that this abundance of dreaming carries an accompanying risk of darker outcomes.

The quote argues that intense optimism and grand visions tend to come with an increased chance of fear, disappointment, or destructive consequences—suggesting a kind of tradeoff between hope and its shadow side.

Because of their huge expanses with unending horizons and the relative absence of disillusionment in their history, they are richer in dreams as well. Unfortunately, the balance of nature decrees that a superabundance of dreams is paid for by a growing potential for nightmares.

Unfortunately, a superabundance of dreams is paid for by a growing potential for nightmares.