All I can say is, if this is the meanest your advisor gets, you are quite fortunate.
Here ya go! Have fun!
Thanks, everyone, for bothering to respond. Oftentimes I read things into emails from people that really aren’t there. I’m trying to do better, but sometimes I still have this strong urge to be pessimistic.
Glad we got that cleared up! 
Hey, that’s what we’re here for. Hang in there!
I guess it’s the part which goes " Sometimes its easier to say things loosely expecting that people will understand.".
Don’t take it personally; I believe he really means the general people who are reading.
I also sometimes read too much into emails too.
Yep, don’t know what I’d do without y’all!
Since nobody has mentioned it yet, I’ll be the brave soul to say it doesn’t sound snarky.
Oh, I can totally understand how he got that feeling. It’s the last sentence, saying “expecting that people will understand”. I agree that it’s more of a dig at the authors, but I know I would personally read that as an unsaid, “and I can’t believe that you didn’t understand it. Moron”.
I suffer from depression and anxiety, too, so maybe that’s why I can understand it. But not being personally invested in this situation, I do agree with everyone else. It’s not an insult to you.
Actually, I’m here because I was told there would be pie.
Pie? Did someone say pie?
Nah, it’s just people trying to make maths sound appealing. Evil sneaky trick! 
I’d also like to add that if you don’t understand something in a paper, you can always write the authors and ask for clarification. At least in my field, most people are friendly, though there are some stinkers.
statsman, I know how depression can affect judgment on things. It’s a good thing you ran it by your friends here.
I’d like to add that I get no snarky vibe from this email either. But I know where you’re coming from - about half the time when my advisor emails me I agonize over the hidden meaning in his words. Even though everything is going fine I have an ongoing fear that he sits in his office thinking “why on earth did I agree to supervise this person, who is clearly an incompetent moron?”.
I think it’s partially because I am naturally kind of a pessimist (and yes, I am trying to change that), and partially just the nature of the relationship - the balance of power is heavily in his favour, and I feel like I’m always scrambling to please him while his part of the deal is easy for him. The stress inherent in grad school doesn’t help.
So you’re not alone. If you figure out how to relax about this please let me know.
This times 1000. My guilt is exacerbated because my advisor essentially recruited me into the program. I started out getting a master’s in stats, which required me to take a class from him. I guess he thought he saw something in me that was promising, and strongly encouraged me to apply to the program. He even wrote a letter on my behalf. So I often feel that he sits in his office regretting ever asking me.
Quit looking for agendas where none may exist. Work on doing a good job and success will come to you.
I agree 100%. And if anything he’s including you in the “in” group.
So sorry to hear that you’re suffering over this.
Well, we have that in common too - my supervisor asked me to join his lab too. I feel like I owe it to him to be really impressive, and I seldom feel particularly impressive. This ties into other self-esteem issues I have in general, and like you I have been treated in the past for depression and anxiety.
It’s easy to say that you should just focus on your work and feel good about yourself, but it is harder to do it. You have my sympathies.
I wish that were remotely true, but work doesn’t always result in success. Sometimes you spin your wheels. Sometimes you work and end up with something you think is important that is simply brushed aside as being trivial. Sometimes you work at something that doesn’t even matter.
It’s pretty hard work to move a sand pile with tweezers. Will I have accomplished anything if I do? No.
I’m sorry, but your post reads like a fortune cookie.
Since I’ve already told you my philosophy, I’ll tell you this way: Why would it matter if your guy was being snarky? Sure, he isn’t, but even if he were, what are you afraid he would do? I think if you can figure that out, you can more easily conquer this fear that he thinks so poorly of you.
And, yeah, I know that, in a recent “event” on the boards, I should have practiced what I preach. At least that means I recognize how hard it is.