# Quotes about cynicism

- Quotes: 48
- Authors: 42
- Broader topic: [Quotes about character](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/character.md)
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism
- JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.json

## Quotes

> “I’d pay a premium for this one, your Highness.”
>
> “That one isn’t for sale[.]”
>
> “Everything’s for sale, your Highness,” Althalus replied with a cynical laugh.

[David Eddings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-eddings.md) · [The Redemption of Althalus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-eddings/the-redemption-of-althalus.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-eddings/the-redemption-of-althalus/id-pay-a-premium.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Foxholes might breed belief, but trench systems are full of fatalistic cynics.

[Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [Lies Sleeping](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/lies-sleeping.md) · p. 115 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/lies-sleeping/foxholes-might-breed.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Could a person really be cynical about everything in the world and still expect to have friends?

[Richard Yates](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-yates.md) · [A Good School](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-yates/a-good-school.md) · p. 147 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-yates/a-good-school/could-a-person.md)

Topics: [friendship](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/friendship.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Sansa, permit me to share a bit of womanly wisdom with you on this very special day. Love is poison. A sweet poison, yes, but it will kill you all the same.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Clash of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/sansa-permit-me-to-share.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Before one scoffs at national pride and the fatherland, at wealth and good manners, love of one's country, family, and traditions, one must have arrived at a proper evaluation of one's country, have had enough to eat, and have received a good education. Then one can look on from afar and make wisecracks. But I have no sense of humor and not enough courage to be cynical.

[Albert Memmi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi.md) · [The Pillar of Salt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi/the-pillar-of-salt.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi/the-pillar-of-salt/before-one-scoffs.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md)

> Psychologically, present-day cynics can be understood as borderline melancholics, who can keep their symptoms of depression under control and can remain more or less able to work. … Their psychic (seelisch) apparatus has become elastic enough to incorporate as a survival factor a permanent doubt about their own activities. They know what they are doing, but they do it because, in the short run, the force of circumstances and the instinct for self-preservation are speaking the same language, and they are telling them that it has to be so.

[Peter Sloterdijk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-sloterdijk.md) · [Critique of Cynical Reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-sloterdijk/critique-of-cynical-reason.md) · p. 5 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-sloterdijk/critique-of-cynical-reason/psychologically-present-day-cynics.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Deciding to avoid other people does not necessarily equate with having no desire whatsoever for company; it may simply reflect a dissatisfaction with what—or who—is available. Cynics are, in the end, only idealists with awkwardly high standards. In Chamfort’s words, “It is sometimes said of a man who lives alone that he does not like society. This is like saying of a man he does not like going for walks because he is not fond of walking at night in the forêt de Bondy.”

[Alain de Botton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alain-de-botton.md) · [Status Anxiety](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alain-de-botton/status-anxiety.md) · p. 119 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alain-de-botton/status-anxiety/deciding-to-avoid.md)

Topics: [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [idealism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/idealism.md)

> We are full of dreams [...] We long for the unattainable. We believe in the nonsense of fables. There is no pure love; there is lust and there is need.

[David Gemmell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell.md) · [Quest for Lost Heroes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/quest-for-lost-heroes.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/quest-for-lost-heroes/we-are-full.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [sexual desire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sexual-desire.md)

> "Foolish: It's all foolish. Life is a farce— a stupid, sickening farce played out by fools."

[David Gemmell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell.md) · [The King Beyond the Gate](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/the-king-beyond-the-gate.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/the-king-beyond-the-gate/foolish-its-all.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> He was getting to be a little old for combat or for princesses, but what was worse, he had become a lot more cynical without having become even slightly the wiser.

[James Blish](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-blish.md) · [The Quincunx of Time](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-blish/the-quincunx-of-time.md) · p. 18 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-blish/the-quincunx-of-time/he-was-getting.md)

Topics: [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Giving full rein to one‘s cynicism as one goes along produces a normal outlet and maintains an emotional equilibrium.

[S.S. Van Dine](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ss-van-dine.md) · [The Bishop Murder Case](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ss-van-dine/the-bishop-murder-case.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ss-van-dine/the-bishop-murder-case/giving-full-rein.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> It had been his experience that the worst cynics all started out as idealists.

[Jack Mcdevitt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-mcdevitt.md) · [Odyssey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-mcdevitt/odyssey.md) · p. 166 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-mcdevitt/odyssey/it-had-been.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [idealism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/idealism.md)

> I myself have known adversity, and know it still. But for that, do I turn cynic? No, no: it is small beer that sours. To my fellow-creatures I owe alleviations. So, whatever I may have undergone, it but deepens my confidence in my kind.

[Herman Melville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herman-melville.md) · [The Confidence-Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herman-melville/the-confidence-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herman-melville/the-confidence-man/i-myself-have.md)

Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [trust](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/trust.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> For a moment, or a second, the pinched expressions of the cynical, world-weary, throat-cutting, miserable bastards we've all had to become disappears, when we're confronted with something as simple as a plate of food.

[Anthony Bourdain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-bourdain.md) · [Kitchen Confidential](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-bourdain/kitchen-confidential.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-bourdain/kitchen-confidential/for-a-moment.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [food](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/food.md)

> It will be very generally found that those who sneer habitually at human nature [...] are among its worst and least pleasant samples.

[Charles Dickens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens.md) · [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/nicholas-nickleby.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/nicholas-nickleby/it-will-be-very.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> "I think that you are a very brilliant man. I think that you have more courage than you have ever guessed. I think that you truly care about this city, and the people in it. I think your cynicism is a fraud." "What-what-really, this is astonishing-" "I think that if you were truly as corrupt and venal as you pretend, you would be in the Senate."

[Matthew Stover](https://www.leafyquotes.com/matthew-stover.md) · [Shatterpoint: Star Wars Legends](https://www.leafyquotes.com/matthew-stover/shatterpoint-star-wars-legends.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/matthew-stover/shatterpoint-star-wars-legends/i-think-that.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Was that savage cynicism or sage common sense? When it came to gauging the chances of peace and war, how much difference was there?

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: In at the Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death.md) · p. 192 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death/was-that-savage.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [peace](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/peace.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> That was either the most brilliant analysis she’d ever heard—or the most breathtakingly cynical one. For the life of her, she couldn't decide which. Maybe it was both at once. Was that better or worse? She couldn't make up her mind there, either.

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: Return Engagement](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-return-engagement.md) · p. 397 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-return-engagement/that-was-either.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Cincinnatus stared at him. That had to be the most cynical assessment he'd ever heard in his life, and he'd heard a lot of them. But, along with the cynicism, it made a lot more sense than he wished it did.

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: Return Engagement](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-return-engagement.md) · p. 160 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-return-engagement/cincinnatus-stared-at-him.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Cynicism is intellectual dandyism.

[George Meredith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-meredith.md) · [The Egoist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-meredith/the-egoist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-meredith/the-egoist/cynicism-is-intellectual.md)

Topics: [intelligence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intelligence.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Perhaps my cynicism comes in good time. Better I have it early than too late.

[Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Singer From The Sea](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/singer-from-the-sea.md) · p. 139 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/singer-from-the-sea/perhaps-my-cynicism.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> “The first rule of governance is never to choose who to sacrifice,” snarled the Procurator. “Or, at least, never to be seen to choose. Death and dismemberment must always be…inadvertent. Everybody’s fault or nobody’s fault!”

[Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Shadow’s End](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/shadows-end.md) · p. 82 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/shadows-end/the-first-rule.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> I think cynicism is the worst thing because it kills everything. There’s no more honesty, no more poetry, no more freshness. Cynicism is the worst thing — a kind of smart person who’s got all the answers. This is death. It kills creation. There’s no love, no tenderness, nothing at all left. There’s no hatred even, nothing. Equally dangerous is the detached attitude that says, “Everything is fun!”

[Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson.md) · [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson/henri-cartier-bresson.md) · p. 38 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson/henri-cartier-bresson/i-think-cynicism.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Hal, who's empty but not dumb, theorizes privately that what passes for hip cynical transcendence of sentiment is really some kind of fear of being really human, since to be really human (at least as he conceptualizes it) is probably to be unavoidably sentimental and naïve and goo-prone and generally pathetic, is to be in some sort of basic interior way forever infantile, some sort of not-quite-right-looking infant dragging itself anclitically around the map, with big wet eyes and froggy-soft skin, huge skull, goey drool. One of the really American things about Hal, probably, is the way he despises what it is he's really lonely for: this hideous internal self, incontinent of sentiment and need, that pules and writhes just under the hip empty mask, anhedonia.

[David Foster Wallace](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-foster-wallace.md) · [Infinite Jest](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-foster-wallace/infinite-jest.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-foster-wallace/infinite-jest/hal-whos-empty.md)

Topics: [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> A mixture of gullibility and cynicism had been an outstanding characteristic of mob mentality before it became an everyday phenomenon of masses. In an ever-changing, incomprehensible world the masses had reached the point where they would, at the same time, believe everything and nothing, think that everything is possible and that nothing was true. The mixture in itself was remarkable enough, because it spelled the end of the illusion that gullibility was a weakness of unsuspecting primitive souls and cynicism the vice of superior and refined minds. Mass propaganda discovered that its audience was ready at all times to believe the worst, no matter how absurd, and did not particularly object to being deceived because it held every statement to be a lie anyhow. The totalitarian mass leaders based their propaganda on the correct psychological assumption that, under such conditions, one could make people believe the most fantastic statements one day, and trust that if the next day they were given irrefutable proof of their falsehood, they would take refuge in cynicism; instead of deserting the leaders who had lied to them, they would protest that they had known all along the statement was a lie and would admire the leaders for their superior tactical cleverness.

[Hannah Arendt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hannah-arendt.md) · [The Origins of Totalitarianism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hannah-arendt/the-origins-of-totalitarianism.md) · p. 382 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hannah-arendt/the-origins-of-totalitarianism/a-mixture-of-gullibility.md)

Topics: [propaganda](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/propaganda.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [crowd](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/crowd.md)

> In the Critique of Cynical Reasoning, a great bestseller in Germany (Sloterdijk, 1983), Peter Sloterdijk puts forward the thesis that ideology's dominant mode of functioning is cynical which renders impossible - or, more precisely, vain - the classical critical-ideological procedure. The cynical subject is quite aware of the distance between the ideological mask and the social reality, but he none the less still insists upon the mask

[Slavoj Žižek](https://www.leafyquotes.com/slavoj-zizek.md) · [The Sublime Object of Ideology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/slavoj-zizek/the-sublime-object-of-ideology.md) · p. 29 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/slavoj-zizek/the-sublime-object-of-ideology/in-the-critique.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [ideology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideology.md)

> His age was indeterminate. But in cynicism and general world weariness, which is a sort of carbon dating of the personality, he was about seven thousand years old. (p. 55)

[Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Guards! Guards!](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/guards-guards.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/guards-guards/his-age-was.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> 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. (p. 242)

[Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Guards! Guards!](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/guards-guards.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/guards-guards/if-there-was.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Loss either teaches you to persist in the face of suffering, or hardens you into a bitter cynic. Sometimes, it does a little of both.

[Grace Slick](https://www.leafyquotes.com/grace-slick.md) · [Somebody to Love?](https://www.leafyquotes.com/grace-slick/somebody-to-love.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/grace-slick/somebody-to-love/loss-either-teaches.md)

Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [loss](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loss.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> We remain in the Romantic cycle initiated by Rousseau: liberal idealism canceled by violence, barbarism, disillusionment and cynicism.

[Camille Paglia](https://www.leafyquotes.com/camille-paglia.md) · [Sexual Personae](https://www.leafyquotes.com/camille-paglia/sexual-personae.md) · p. 232 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/camille-paglia/sexual-personae/we-remain-in-the.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [idealism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/idealism.md)

> I was too green to know that all cynicism masks a failure to cope – an impotence, in short and to despise all effort is the greatest effort of all...

[John Fowles](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-fowles.md) · [Daniel Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-fowles/daniel-martin.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-fowles/daniel-martin/i-was-too.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Do you know the only value life has is what life puts upon itself? And it is of course overestimated, for it is of necessity prejudiced in its own favour. Take that man I had aloft. He held on as if he were a precious thing, a treasure beyond diamonds of rubies. To you? No. To me? Not at all. To himself? Yes. But I do not accept his estimate. He sadly overrates himself. There is plenty more life demanding to be born. Had he fallen and dripped his brains upon the deck like honey from the comb, there would have been no loss to the world. The supply is too large.

[Jack London](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-london.md) · [The Sea Wolf](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-london/the-sea-wolf.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-london/the-sea-wolf/do-you-know.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> “I look young, almost as young as you lot; but the real difference between us is cynicism. You don’t have any, while I’ve got a ton of it.”
>
> “I’m cynical, Philip protested. “I don’t believe a word politicians say.”
>
> “That’s not cynicism,” Sophie said. “That’s just common sense.”

[Peter F. Hamilton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-f-hamilton.md) · [Misspent Youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-f-hamilton/misspent-youth.md) · p. 248 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-f-hamilton/misspent-youth/i-look-young.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Look at you; you're on The New Democracy, considered the most brilliant weekly in the country, read by the men who do things and all that. What's your business? Why, to be as clever, as interesting, and as brilliantly cynical as possible about every man, doctrine, book, or policy that is assigned you to deal with. The more strong lights, the more spiritual scandal you can throw on the matter, the more money they pay you, the more the people buy the issue.

[F.Scott Fitzgerald](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald.md) · [This Side of Paradise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald/this-side-of-paradise.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald/this-side-of-paradise/look-at-you.md)

Topics: [media](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/media.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> "Scratch the surface of most cynics and you find a frustrated idealist – someone who made the mistake of converting his ideals into expectations"

[Peter M. Senge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-m-senge.md) · [The Fifth Discipline](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-m-senge/the-fifth-discipline.md) · p. 146 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-m-senge/the-fifth-discipline/scratch-the-surface.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> 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](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [Lavinia](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/lavinia.md) · p. 45 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/lavinia/i-can-never.md)

Topics: [women](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/women.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Bliss in love is seldom the case: for every successful contemporary love experience, for every short period of enrichment, there are ten destructive love experiences, post-love ‘downs’ of much longer duration – often resulting in the destruction of the individual, or at least an emotional cynicism that makes it difficult or impossible ever to love again.

[Shulamith Firestone](https://www.leafyquotes.com/shulamith-firestone.md) · [The Dialectic of Sex: The Case for Feminist Revolution](https://www.leafyquotes.com/shulamith-firestone/the-dialectic-of-sex-the-case-for-feminist-revolution.md) · p. 128 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/shulamith-firestone/the-dialectic-of-sex-the-case-for-feminist-revolution/bliss-in-love.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Sometimes I think we'd all be better off if the people who mean well would just creep away and die.

[Stephen King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king.md) · [The Dark Tower](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king/the-dark-tower.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king/the-dark-tower/sometimes-i-think.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> To be cynical is not the same as avoiding illusion, for cynicism is just another kind of illusion. All formulas for meeting life -- even many philosophies -- are illusion.

[Robertson Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies.md) · [The Deptford Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-deptford-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-deptford-trilogy/to-be-cynical.md)

Topics: [illusions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/illusions.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> I think the major problem in growing up is to become sophisticated without becoming cynical.

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md) · [I Will Fear No Evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/i-will-fear-no-evil.md) · p. 473 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/i-will-fear-no-evil/i-think-the.md)

Topics: [growing up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/growing-up.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> "As far as I'm concerned," said Constant, "the Universe is a junk yard, with everything in it overpriced. I am through poking around in the junk heaps, looking for bargains. Every so-called bargain," said Constant, "has been connected by fine wires to a dynamite bouquet."

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [The Sirens of Titan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/the-sirens-of-titan.md) · p. 290 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/the-sirens-of-titan/as-far-as-im-concerned.md)

Topics: [disappointment](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/disappointment.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> To expect wickedness from human beings is the best way I know of to avoid surprises. And when I am surprised, it's always pleasantly.

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Heartfire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/heartfire.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/heartfire/to-expect-wickedness.md)

Topics: [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> Men like Jackson were so upright and honest-seeming, but Hooch knew that there wasn't no such thing as a good man, just a man who wasn't bought yet, or wasn't in deep enough trouble, or didn't have the guts to reach out and take what he wanted. That's all that virtue ever boiled down to, so far as Hooch ever saw in his life.

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Red Prophet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/red-prophet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/red-prophet/men-like-jackson.md)

Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [corruption](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/corruption.md)

> You're killing yourself with cynicism. Your idols got taken away from you one by one and now you have nothing to give your love to.

[Philip K. Dick](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-k-dick.md) · [The Man in the High Castle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-k-dick/the-man-in-the-high-castle.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-k-dick/the-man-in-the-high-castle/youre-killing-yourself.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> “’Cynicism! That, no doubt is a greater crime than heresy.’”

[Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Dune Messiah](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune-messiah.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune-messiah/cynicism-that-no-doubt.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> It must be admitted that this method has its drawbacks, and it is not easy to carry it out; for if he becomes too soon engrossed in watching other people, if you train him to mark too closely the actions of others, you will make him spiteful and satirical, quick and decided in his judgments of others; he will find a hateful pleasure in seeking bad motives, and will fail to see the good even in that which is really good. He will, at least, get used to the sight of vice, he will behold the wicked without horror, just as we get used to seeing the wretched without pity. Soon the perversity of mankind will be not so much a warning as an excuse; he will say, "Man is made so," and he will have no wish to be different from the rest.

[Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/it-must-be-admitted.md)

Topics: [judging others](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/judging-others.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> ...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.

[William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [Cakes And Ale](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/cakes-and-ale.md) · p. 137 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/cakes-and-ale/you-know-what.md)

Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)

> You can always put something noble in a sneering fashion if you try.

[Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [Prelude to Foundation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/prelude-to-foundation.md) · p. 391 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/prelude-to-foundation/you-can-always.md)

Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md)