Terry Pratchett said this quote
“ Then Carrot said, It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness, captain. That's what they say.What? Vimes' sudden rage was like a thunderclap. Who says that? When has that ever been true? It's never been true! It's the kind of thing people without power say to make it all seem less bloody awful, but it's just words, it never makes any difference - ”