Explore a collection of the most beloved and motivational quotes and sayings about Cynic. Share these powerful messages with your loved ones on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or on your personal blog, and inspire the world with their wisdom. We've compiled the Top 100 Cynic Quotes and Sayings from 93 influential authors, including Merle Shain,Jose Ortega Y Gasset,Jim Butcher,Linda Yellin,Jewel, for you to enjoy and share.

Cynicism is a form of cowardice, a failure of courage to hope. By Merle Shain Cynicism Cowardice Hope Form Failure

Diogenes, in his mud-covered sandals, tramps over the carpets of Aristippus. The cynic pullulated at every corner, and in the highest places. This cynic did nothing but saboter the civilisation of the time. He was the nihilist of Hellenism. He created nothing, he made nothing. His role was to undo - or rather to attempt to undo, for he did not succeed in his purpose. The cynic, a parasite of civilisation, lives by denying it, for the very reason that he is convinced that it will not fail. What would become of the cynic among a savage people where everyone, naturally and quite seriously, fulfils what the cynic farcically considers to be his personal role? By Jose Ortega Y Gasset Aristippus Cynic Diogenes Sandals Tramps

You're such a cynic," Molly said. "I think cynics are playful and cute. By Jim Butcher Molly Cute Cynic Cynics Playful

He said cynicism's self-protection, a defense mechanism used by cowards who give up on love because they're afraid love's given up on them. By Linda Yellin Selfprotection Love Cynicism Defense Mechanism

Cynicism is for lightweights. By Jewel Cynicism Lightweights

Don't even become a cynic. Anything but that! By James Patterson Cynic

Cynicism is tough. A cynic's point of view is really pitiful. I derive pleasure out of a lot of things in life. As long as I'm fairly healthy, it's hard to stay dismal for very long. By Shawn Colvin Cynicism Tough Long Pitiful Life

Cynicism is more than a pose; it's also a handy time saver. By deflating your companion's enthusiasm, you can cut conversations in half. By Lisa Birnbach Cynicism Pose Saver Handy Time

She might be a natural-born cynic, but she knew the right word when she heard it. By Kate Dicamillo Cynic Naturalborn Knew Word Heard

Cynicism is intellectual dandyism. By George Meredith Cynicism Dandyism Intellectual

... a cynic who was still saddened whenever his jaundiced view of mankind was confirmed ... By Sharon Kay Penman Confirmed Cynic Saddened Jaundiced View

Cynicism is kind of like folding your arms and stepping back and commenting on things, like the old guys in 'The Muppets,' just throwing out comments all the time, whereas there are other people on the ground really trying to affect things and improve their lives and the lives of other people. I think it's noble and I think it's cool. By Josh Radnor Muppets People Things Lives Cynicism

Cynicism is that blackguard defect of vision which compels us to see the world as it is, instead of as it should be. By Ambrose Bierce Cynicism Blackguard Defect Vision Compels

Cynicism is only intellectual sloth. By Henry Rollins Cynicism Sloth Intellectual

Cynicism has its own zealots. By Mason Cooley Cynicism Zealots

Cynicism is a boring and dull old man's disease people have no business getting when they're young. By Erika Lopez Cynicism Young Boring Dull Man

Perhaps no philosopher is more correct than the cynic. The happiness of the animal, that thorough cynic, is the living proof of cynicism. By Friedrich Nietzsche Cynic Philosopher Correct Animal Cynicism

Cynicism is like gastro: it goes through your whole system and makes you shitty. By John Marsden Cynicism Gastro Shitty System Makes

Cynicism-the pus from a wound. By Marty Rubin Cynicismthe Wound Pus

"Cynicism," like "heresy" and "heterodoxy" and "atheism" and "agnosticism" and "paganism" and "heathenism," is above all else a way for organized orthodoxy's caste of official censors to encyst and segregate and thus neutralize all contrarian forms of seeing and thinking, all (necessarily implicitly) prohibited and repressed ways of exercising disruptive and iconoclastic intuition and intellection (for to analyze and explain these things too openly is to give them publicity and potential cogency when the point is to asphyxiate them). By Kenny Smith Cynicism Heresy Heterodoxy Atheism Agnosticism

Cynicism places the cynic at the center seat of judgement with the self appointed authority to criticize and condemn. By Jayce O'neal Cynicism Condemn Places Cynic Center

[N]obody is a greater schoolgirl in spirit than a cynic. Cynics can not relinquish the rubbish they were taught as children: they hold tight to the belief that the word [sic] has meaning and, when things go wrong for them, they consequently adopt the inverse attitude. By Muriel Barbery Obody Greater Schoolgirl Spirit Sic

It is good to be a cynic - it is better to be a contented cat - and it is best not to exist at all. By H.p. Lovecraft Cynic Cat Good Contented Exist

A cynic always focuses on problems and not on possibilities. By Debasish Mridha Possibilities Cynic Focuses Problems

Cynicism is a form of obedience. By Cornelius Eady Cynicism Obedience Form

I do like dating cynics - they tend to be incredibly funny. By Chris Pine Cynics Funny Dating Tend Incredibly

Cynicism is, ultimately, fear. Cynicism makes contact with your skin, and a thick black carapace begins to grow - like insect armor. This armor will protect your heart, from disappointment - but it leaves you almost unable to walk. You cannot dance in this armor. Cynicism keeps you pinned to the spot, in the same posture, forever. By Caitlin Moran Ultimately Fear Cynicism Armor Skin

I'm rather a cynic, I suppose. I do not believe in the niceness of humanity. By George Macdonald Fraser Cynic Suppose Humanity Niceness

Death makes cynics of us all By Simon Critchley Death Makes Cynics

The idea of The Boy Vs. The Cynic is the tension between the wide-eyed optimism in youthfulness where you think nothing can go wrong, I've got the world ahead of me. I'm gonna be a go-getter. By John Reuben Zappin Boy Cynic Wrong Idea Tension

Cynicism is intellectual treason. By Norman Cousins Cynicism Treason Intellectual

Cynicism is often seen as a rebellious attitude in western popular culture, but in reality, our cynicism advances the desires of the powerful: cynicism is obedience. By Alex Steffen Cynicism Culture Reality Powerful Obedience

Diogenes the Cynic was an ascetic by choice. He rejected his family's bourgeois status, got himself exiled from his native city, and went about in a threadbare cloak with only the barest possessions, a bag for his crust of bread and a cup for scooping water from fountains. When one day he saw a boy drinking from his hands, he smashed the cup, disgusted by his own love of luxury. By James Romm Cynic Diogenes Choice Ascetic Cup

Scratch a cynic and you'll find a disappointed idealist. By Jon F. Merz Scratch Idealist Cynic Find Disappointed

I may sound very cynical, but a cynic is really a realist. By U.g. Krishnamurti Cynical Realist Sound Cynic

Cynicism makes you feel smart, I know it, even when you aren't smart. By Richard Ford Smart Cynicism Makes Feel

Never confuse cynicism for intelligence. By Ahmed Al-Sheikh Intelligence Confuse Cynicism

It is interesting to observe what the Cynic teaching became when it was popularized. In the early part of the third century B.C., the cynics were the fashion, especially in Alexandria. They published little sermons pointing out how easy it is to do without material possessions, By Bertrand Russell Popularized Interesting Observe Teaching Cynic

It takes a clever man to turn cynic and a wise man to be clever enough not to. By Fannie Hurst Man Clever Turn Cynic Wise

Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth. By Lillian Hellman Cynicism Truth Unpleasant

Cynicism is something that is part of the media production of a certain type of subjectivity or consciousness that is passive and disempowered, cynical, fatalistic, pessimistic. By Daniel Pinchbeck Cynical Fatalistic Pessimistic Cynicism Disempowered

Cynicism ... is the trade-mark of failure ... By Katherine Cecil Thurston Cynicism Failure Trademark

The cynics were watchdogs terrifying malefactors. They tried to expose falseness and conceit. That's why their name is still spoken with a snarl. By Petr Skrabanek Malefactors Cynics Watchdogs Terrifying Conceit

There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing. By Maya Angelou Pitiful Young Cynic Knowing Believing

Hypocrisy is the outside of cynicism. By Mason Cooley Hypocrisy Cynicism

Cynicism is full of naive disappointments. By Mason Cooley Cynicism Disappointments Full Naive

The cynic, a parasite of civilization, lives by denying it, for the very reason that he is convinced that it will not fail. By Jose Ortega Y Gasset Cynic Civilization Lives Fail Parasite

Scratch any cynic and you will find a disappointed idealist. By George Carlin Scratch Idealist Cynic Find Disappointed

There is no power in cynicism. There is no forward thrust in cynicism. By Jesse Jackson Cynicism Power Forward Thrust

Cynicism. I liked that in a man. By Josh Lanyon Cynicism Man

The cynic sees only cynicism, the depressive can taint creation with one glance By Anna Funder Cynicism Glance Cynic Depressive Taint

The genius of cynicism is that it is a voice in your ear it does not usually hang around long enough to be interviewed. It is usually expressed in innuendos, passing remarks, moods, cartoons, hints, insinuations, unacknowledged assumptions, and jokes. By Dick Keyes Interviewed Genius Cynicism Voice Ear

Cynicism, like gullibility, is a symptom of underdeveloped critical faculties. By Jamie Whyte Cynicism Gullibility Faculties Symptom Underdeveloped

Cynicism is fear posing as confidence; joy is hope let off the leash. By Bob Goff Cynicism Confidence Joy Leash Fear

Cynicism is overrated, and far too easy. In small doses, cynicismlike ironyprovides an essential tempering quality. But to wallow in it, and to dismiss things like hope and faith, is cowardly and unoriginal. By Michael Perry Cynicism Overrated Easy Doses Cynicismlike

Cynics know the answers without having penetrated deeply enough to know the questions. When challenged by mysterious truths, they marshall 'facts. By Marilyn Ferguson Cynics Questions Facts Answers Penetrated

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 By Peggy Noonan Cynicism Tough Realistic Housekeeping Good

The cynic is a coward. He foresees all barrenness so that barrenness can never surprise him. By Anais Nin Coward Cynic Barrenness Foresees Surprise

I believe I'm growing skeptical of cynicism. By Chuck Lorre Cynicism Growing Skeptical

An optimist is a braver cynic. By Colum Mccann Cynic Optimist Braver

Cynicism is the humor of hatred. By Herbert Beerbohm Tree Cynicism Hatred Humor

A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity. By David Gemmell Experience Necessity Cynic Romantic Inclination

Cynicism always enchanted me by producing a delicious feeling of self-assurance and of being in league with myself By Francoise Sagan Cynicism Enchanted Producing Delicious Feeling

A sewer is a cynic. It tells All. By Victor Hugo Cynic Sewer

It's the cynics who never get married. By Jay Mcinerney Married Cynics

Thrasyllus the Cynic begged a drachm of Antigonus. "That," said he, "is too little for a king to give." "Why, then," said the other, "give me a talent." "And that," said he, "is too much for a Cynic (or, for a dog) to receive. By Plutarch Antigonus Cynic Thrasyllus Begged Drachm

Diogenes, the Greek philosopher who founded the Cynical school, lived in a barrel. When Alexander the Great once visited Diogenes as he was relaxing in the sun, and asked if there were anything he might do for him, the Cynic answered the all-powerful conqueror, 'Yes, there is something you can do for me. Please move a little to the side. You are blocking the sunlight. By Yuval Noah Harari Greek Cynical Diogenes School Lived

The opposite of creativity is cynicism By Esa Saarinen Cynicism Opposite Creativity

Cynicism is idealism turned inside out. It stems from an expectation unrealized and a promise perverted. That is so much of Washington today in a nutshell. By Mark Leibovich Cynicism Idealism Turned Inside Perverted

Scratch the surface of any cynic, and you will find a wounded idealist underneath. Because of previous pain or disappointment, cynics make their conclusions about life before the questions have even been asked. This means that beyond just seeing what is wrong with the world, cynics lack the courage to do something about it. The dynamic beneath cynicism is a fear of accepting responsibility. By John Ortberg Scratch Underneath Surface Find Wounded

A cynic is just a man who found out when he was about ten that there wasn't any Santa Claus, and he's still upset. Yes, there'll be more war ; and soon, I don't doubt. There always has been. There'll be deaths and disappointments and failures. When they come, you meet them. By James Gould Cozzens Claus Santa Upset Cynic Man

Cynicism springs from disappointments in love. By Marty Rubin Cynicism Love Springs Disappointments

The cynic is his own worst enemy. It requires far less skill to run a wrecking company than it does to be an architect. By Uell Stanley Andersen Enemy Cynic Worst Architect Requires

We shall build on.On through the cynic By Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy Cynic Build Onon

The worst thing about cynicism is its truth. By Ethel Mumford Truth Worst Thing Cynicism

It is only the cynic who claims "to speak the truth" at all times and in all places to all men in the same way, but who, in fact, displays nothing but a lifeless image of the truth ... He dons the halo of the fanatical devotee of truth who can make no allowance for human weaknesses; but, in fact, he is destroying the living truth between men. He wounds shame, desecrates mystery, breaks confidence, betrays the community in which he lives, and laughs arrogantly at the devastation he has wrought and at the human weakness which "cannot bear the truth. By Dietrich Bonhoeffer Truth Fact Men Claims Displays

The cynics are right nine times out of ten. By H.l. Mencken Ten Cynics Times

Cynicism is easy. An optimist is a braver cynic. By Colum Mccann Cynicism Easy Cynic Optimist Braver

I'm cynical about society, politics, newspapers, government. But I'm not cynical about life, love, goodness, death. That's why I really don't want to be labeled a cynic. By John Lennon Politics Newspapers Government Society Cynical

I get the cynicism thing all the time, although I don't really know where that comes from, because I think I'm actually the opposite of a cynic. By Matt Taibbi Time Cynic Cynicism Thing Opposite

Cynical is a fool's word for realist. By Paul Christopher Cynical Realist Fool Word

Idealist: a cynic in the making. By Irving Layton Idealist Making Cynic

The cynic is goodhearted beneath his facade, whereas the sentimentalist is flint-hearted beneath his. By Sydney J. Harris Beneath Facade Cynic Goodhearted Sentimentalist

Cynicism can blind one to subtler virtues By David Mitchell Cynicism Virtues Blind Subtler

Cynicism may help us create simpler storylines with good guys and bad guys, but it doesn't make us any better at telling the truth, which is that most of us are a frightening mix of good and evil, sinner and saint. By Rachel Held Evans Good Guys Cynicism Truth Evil

Of course, you're always a cynic before you fall in love yourself... By Holly Bourne Cynic Fall Love

Cynicism is extremely contagious, and the most pious among us cannot long endure its potency. The gullible should be on their guard, however, since this endearing quality frequently masquerades as wit. By Mike Corbett Cynicism Contagious Potency Extremely Pious

I am really not "cyclonic" at all. Far from it. What I want is not here, nor can I longer bear this "cyclonic" atmosphere. This is the way to perfection, to strive to be perfect, and to strive to make perfect a few men and women. My idea of doing good is this: to evolve out a few giants, and not to strew pearls before swine, and so lose time, health, and energy. By Swami Vivekananda Cyclonic Strive Perfect Atmosphere Health

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. By Stephen Colbert Wisdom Masquerades Farthest Thing Cynicism

The player who looks least engaged may be the most committed member of the group. A cynic, after all, is a passionate person who does not want to be disappointed again. By Benjamin Zander Group Player Engaged Committed Member

The temptation shared by all forms of intelligence: cynicism. By Albert Camus Cynicism Intelligence Temptation Shared Forms

Cynical' is a term invented by optimists to describe realists. By Anonymous Cynical Realists Term Invented Optimists

I haven't deeply considered the matter [...] but if to look truth in the face and not resent it when it's unpalatable, and take human nature as you find it, smiling when it's absurd and grieved without exaggeration when it's pitiful, is to be cynical, then I suppose I'm a cynic. Mostly human nature is both absurd and pitiful, but if life has taught you tolerance you find in it more to smile at than to weep.[The back of beyond] By W. Somerset Maugham Pitiful Human Nature Find Absurd

Cynicism formulates issues clearly, but only to dismiss them. By Mason Cooley Cynicism Formulates Issues Dismiss

If the world weren't such a beautiful place, we might all turn into cynics By Paul Auster Place Cynics World Beautiful Turn

Don't confuse my point of view with cynicism. The real cynics are the ones who tell you that everything's gonna be all right. By George Carlin Cynicism Confuse Point View Real

Cynicism was a one-way path, and once taken the way back was lost forever. By Chris Wooding Cynicism Path Forever Oneway Back

There's something I believe wholeheartedly: Cynicism is the true refuge of the pseudo-intellectual, .. Cynicism is easy. Joy is an extremely advanced spiritual and intellectual tenet. By Craig Ferguson Cynicism Wholeheartedly Pseudointellectual True Refuge

Cynicism is often the shamefaced product of inexperience. By A.j. Liebling Cynicism Inexperience Shamefaced Product

Many people today believe that cynicism requires courage. Actually, cynicism is the height of cowardice. It is innocence and open-heartedness that requires the true courage-however often we are hurt as a result of it. By Erica Jong Courage Cynicism People Today Requires