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 – 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. — 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. — 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. — Robert K. Massie

4. Cynicism–the intellectual cripple’s substitute for intelligence. — 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. — 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. — Robert K. Massie

7. Cynicism was a school in Greece–the Cynics. Diogenes is a famous Cynic. There was a strong belief in nihilism and narcissism. Those are old schools too. — 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. — Paul Rudd

9. I am discovering that I can live far better without cynicism than I can without trust. — Steve Goodier

10. The cynicism that you have is not your real soul. — 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. — 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. — 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. — 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. — 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. — 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. — William Norwich, My Mrs. Brown

17. Cynicism is reality with an alternate spelling. — Woody Allen

18. Our triumphant age of plenty is riddled with darker feelings of doubt, cynicism, distrust, boredom and a strange kind of emptiness — Samuel Johnson

19. My level of cynicism about the reasons that took us to war against Iraq remain just as well–developed as they were before I went. — Ted Koppel

20. We must renew democracy itself. We have to fight cynicism and inertia and restore faith in the advancement of our country. — 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. — W. Somerset Maugham

22. What this generation was bred to at television’s knees was not wisdom, but cynicism. — 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. — Ursula K. Le Guin

24. It seems to me that election season is just a Petri dish for anger and cynicism. — 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. — Rowan Atkinson

26. There is maybe a cynicism because of my past as a writer. — 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. — Terry Pratchett

28. My level of cynicism about the reasons that took us to war against Iraq remain just as well–developed as they were before I went. — Ted Koppel

29. Cynicism is reality with an alternate spelling. — Woody Allen

30. There is maybe a cynicism because of my past as a writer. — 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. — Rowan Atkinson

32. The cynicism that you have is not your real soul. — 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. — 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. — Walter Becker

35. Cynicism springs from disappointments in love. — Marty Rubin

36. The cynicism that you have is not your real soul. — Yoko Ono

37. Doubt is the middle position between knowledge and ignorance. It encompasses cynicism but also genuine questioning. — Vera Farmiga

38. Cynicism is reality with an alternate spelling. — Woody Allen

39. Cynicism springs from disappointments in love. — 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.–––in Good Housekeeping — Peggy Noonan

41. I am discovering that I can live far better without cynicism than I can without trust. — Steve Goodier

42. Cynicism is the intellectual cripple’s substitute for intelligence. — 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. — 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. — 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. — 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. — 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. — 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. — Serj Tankian

49. Anyone who does not understand the utter cynicism of politics does not understand politics. — Thomas Sowell

50. The foolishness of youth with the cynicism of age is a dangerous combination. — 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.