Optimistic pessimism

I believe people in general are cold and mean-spirited, self-centred and self-serving, but also that people have a great potential and that many of them achieve a portion of that potential by becoming more than what their base motivations would have them be. Some even fully-achieve their potential and become the best person they can be. But perhaps, part of being the best person you can be is knowing that you can always be better and striving to be that person.