There’s a reason why cynicism has gotten such a bad rap over the years. After all, it’s hard to be motivated and positive when you’re always telling yourself that things will never get better. But ironically, being cynical can also make you more pragmatic and realistic β which can be an asset in business. If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration (and some ammunition against naysayers), check out these cynicism quotes from WiseGeek.com ! They’ll make you appreciate the power of negative thinking.
1. The arts community still has a long lasting cynicism of the importance, or the artistic value, of comedy. Comedy is just farting about for money. β Rowan Atkinson
2. She (historian Barbara Tuchman) draws on skepticism, not cynicism, leaving the reader not so much outraged by human ability as amused and saddened by human folly. β Robert K. Massie
3. She (historian Barbara Tuchman) draws on skepticism, not cynicism, leaving the reader not so much outraged by human ability as amused and saddened by human folly. β Robert K. Massie
4. Cynicismβthe intellectual cripple’s substitute for intelligence. β Russell Lynes
5. She (historian Barbara Tuchman) draws on skepticism, not cynicism, leaving the reader not so much outraged by human ability as amused and saddened by human folly. β Robert K. Massie
6. She (historian Barbara Tuchman) draws on skepticism, not cynicism, leaving the reader not so much outraged by human ability as amused and saddened by human folly. β Robert K. Massie
7. Cynicism was a school in Greeceβthe Cynics. Diogenes is a famous Cynic. There was a strong belief in nihilism and narcissism. Those are old schools too. β Oliver Stone
8. It’s not often that you get to play somebody that has absolutely no cynicism or is not judgmental in any way. β Paul Rudd
9. I am discovering that I can live far better without cynicism than I can without trust. β Steve Goodier
10. The cynicism that you have is not your real soul. β Yoko Ono
11. Some people grow older and more cynical. Some people become just the opposite. Life hurts without hope, and cynicism, once a luxury, becomes unaffordable. β William Norwich, My Mrs. Brown
12. The arts community still has a long lasting cynicism of the importance, or the artistic value, of comedy. Comedy is just farting about for money. β Rowan Atkinson
13. I think that the memory of Armenia’s genocide opened my eyes at an early age to the existence of political cynicism. β Serj Tankian
14. Cynicism, I contend, is the wailing of someone who believes that things are, or should be, or could be, much, much better than they are. β Walter Becker
15. If there was anything that depressed him more than his own cynicism, it was that quite often it still wasn’t as cynical as real life. β Terry Pratchett
16. Some people grow older and more cynical. Some people become just the opposite. Life hurts without hope, and cynicism, once a luxury, becomes unaffordable. β William Norwich, My Mrs. Brown
17. Cynicism is reality with an alternate spelling. β Woody Allen
18. Our triumphant age of plenty is riddled with darker feelings of doubt, cynicism, distrust, boredom and a strange kind of emptiness β Samuel Johnson
19. My level of cynicism about the reasons that took us to war against Iraq remain just as wellβdeveloped as they were before I went. β Ted Koppel
20. We must renew democracy itself. We have to fight cynicism and inertia and restore faith in the advancement of our country. β Paul Wellstone
21. You know what the critics are. If you tell the truth they only say you’re cynical and it does an author no good to get a reputation for cynicism. β W. Somerset Maugham
22. What this generation was bred to at television’s knees was not wisdom, but cynicism. β Pauline Kael
23. I can never get used to the fact, though I know it, that women are born cynics. Men have to learn cynicism. Infant girls could teach it to them. β Ursula K. Le Guin
24. It seems to me that election season is just a Petri dish for anger and cynicism. β Max Lucado
25. The arts community still has a long lasting cynicism of the importance, or the artistic value, of comedy. Comedy is just farting about for money. β Rowan Atkinson
26. There is maybe a cynicism because of my past as a writer. β Ryan Tedder
27. If there was anything that depressed him more than his own cynicism, it was that quite often it still wasn’t as cynical as real life. β Terry Pratchett
28. My level of cynicism about the reasons that took us to war against Iraq remain just as wellβdeveloped as they were before I went. β Ted Koppel
29. Cynicism is reality with an alternate spelling. β Woody Allen
30. There is maybe a cynicism because of my past as a writer. β Ryan Tedder
31. The arts community still has a long lasting cynicism of the importance, or the artistic value, of comedy. Comedy is just farting about for money. β Rowan Atkinson
32. The cynicism that you have is not your real soul. β Yoko Ono
33. You know what the critics are. If you tell the truth they only say you’re cynical and it does an author no good to get a reputation for cynicism. β W. Somerset Maugham
34. Cynicism, I contend, is the wailing of someone who believes that things are, or should be, or could be, much, much better than they are. β Walter Becker
35. Cynicism springs from disappointments in love. β Marty Rubin
36. The cynicism that you have is not your real soul. β Yoko Ono
37. Doubt is the middle position between knowledge and ignorance. It encompasses cynicism but also genuine questioning. β Vera Farmiga
38. Cynicism is reality with an alternate spelling. β Woody Allen
39. Cynicism springs from disappointments in love. β Marty Rubin
40. Cynicism is not realistic and tough. It’s unrealistic and kind of cowardly because it means you don’t have to try.βββin Good Housekeeping β Peggy Noonan
41. I am discovering that I can live far better without cynicism than I can without trust. β Steve Goodier
42. Cynicism is the intellectual cripple’s substitute for intelligence. β Russell Lynes
43. She (historian Barbara Tuchman) draws on skepticism, not cynicism, leaving the reader not so much outraged by human ability as amused and saddened by human folly. β Robert K. Massie
44. In the end we shall have had enough of cynicism, skepticism and humbug, and we shall want to live more musically. β Vincent Van Gogh
45. I think that the memory of Armenia’s genocide opened my eyes at an early age to the existence of political cynicism. β Serj Tankian
46. If there was anything that depressed him more than his own cynicism, it was that quite often it still wasn’t as cynical as real life. β Terry Pratchett
47. I always feel the cynicism is reality with maybe an alternate spelling or something because I feel that I have real perspective on this particular issue of punishment in society. β Woody Allen
48. I think that the memory of Armenia’s genocide opened my eyes at an early age to the existence of political cynicism. β Serj Tankian
49. Anyone who does not understand the utter cynicism of politics does not understand politics. β Thomas Sowell
50. The foolishness of youth with the cynicism of age is a dangerous combination. β Murad S. Shah
No matter how cynical you may be, it is important to remember that you can still remain positive and live life with joy and love. Cynicism can be a shield, but it can also hold you back from experiencing life to the fullest. It is important to keep a balance between cynicism and optimism. To help you do this, here are some of the best quotes about cynicism to keep you going:
“Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth.” – Lillian Hellman
“Cynicism is humor in ill health.” – H.G. Wells
“Cynicism is intellectual cowardice.” – Sydney J. Harris
“Cynicism is an unpleasant way of telling the truth.” – Lillian Hellman
“Cynicism is a mean, spiteful attitude that has no place in a happy, productive life.” – Steve Maraboli
“Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it.” – Steve Furtick
We hope these quotes help remind you that cynicism can be a way to protect yourself, but it can also be a barrier to living a full and happy life. Don’t let cynicism take over your life, and always strive to keep a balance between cynicism and optimism.