Quotes About Cynicism

Their access to the emotional world of their own childhood, however, is impaired—characterized by a lack of respect, a compulsion to control and manipulate, and a demand for achievement. Very often they show disdain and irony, even derision and cynicism, for the child they were. In general, there is a complete absence of real emotional understanding or serious appreciation of their own childhood vicissitudes, and no conception of their true needs—beyond the desire for achievement.

America is a country in which I see the most persistant idealism and the blandest of cynicism and the race is on between its vitality and its decadence.

TRUTHFUL, adj. Dumb and illiterate.

INFANCY, n. The period of our lives when, according to Wordsworth, Heaven lies about us. The world begins lying about us pretty soon afterward.

Ambrose Bierce

But I guess you learn to stop hoping, after a while. Life teaches you to expect the worst, eh?

I find hope is best abandoned early,' muttered Temple.

Helping people was always a mistake... Trust was a word for fools. It was a word people used when they meant to betray you.

La gente prefiere creer que el mundo está lleno de maldad antes que de mala suerte, egoísmo y estupidez.

Except that they are people and people are never to be trusted,' said Nothing.

We must rekindle the fire of idealism in our society, for nothing suffocates the promise of America more than unbounded cynicism and indifference.

Hutter thought, not for the first time, that she hated a lot of cops. Ugly, mean drunks who believed the worst of everyone.

Cynicism is what passes for insight among the mediocre.

Better than Hope," said Trace. "What the fuck is Hope? Hope for what? An icecream? A quick death?" Bemusement on the faces of several marines. "Uh, isn't that kind of the point?" Arime asked. "That Hope can mean anything you want it to?" "It means nothing," Trace said flatly. "I'm sick of happy bullshit that means nothing. Vacuous words for vacuous minds.

It's very easy to be cynical about the hall of fame. But on the other hand, it's really a beautiful thing for someone like me. I dedicated my entire life to this music.

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.

What a pessimist you are!" exclaimed Candide. "That is because I know what life is," said Martin.

Only a complete alcoholic can think life is funny ... any life!.

I think growing up in Indiana prepares anyone for a life in comedy. I do feel like there is a certain kind of self-effacing cynicism among all Hoosiers.

I have never cared much for people. Most of them are cowards, conformists, muddleheads, moneygrubbers, and they infect each other.

People would not long remain in social life if they were not the dupes of each other.

I'll say one thing about an oil boom; it will teach a kid that Life's a pretty rotten thing as quick as anything I can think of.

I believe in New Yorkers. Whether they've ever questioned the dream in which they live, I wouldn't know, because I won't ever dare ask that question.

Skepticism is the sadism of embittered souls.