Cynicism Tropes/Quotes

"Cynic, n. - A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be."

- Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

"What is the use of straining after an amiable view of things, when a cynical view is most likely to be the true one?"

- George Bernard Shaw

"Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist."

- George Carlin

"It's hard to argue against cynics - they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side."

- Molly Ivins

"Cynicism is not realistic and tough. It's unrealistic and kind of cowardly because it means you don't have to try."

- Peggy Noonan, Good Housekeeping

"Cynicism isn't smarter, it's only safer."

- Jewel Kilcher

"A cynic is what an Idealist calls a Realist"

- Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister.

"To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I’ll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism — it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen."

- Conan O'Brien, in his last Tonight Show episode

""Don't be afraid to be a fool. Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don't learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow. Saying yes leads to knowledge. "Yes" is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say yes.""

- Stephen Colbert, Knox College Commencement Address, 2006