Cynicism Quotes - Page 21

• Out of the unconscious lips of babes and sucklings are we satirized.

  Mark Twain

  Sarcasm, Lips, Babe

  Mark Twain (1966). “Mark Twain's "Which Was the Dream?" and Other Symbolic Writings of the Later Years”, p.57, Univ of California Press

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• Contrary to current cynicism about past golden ages, the abstraction known as 'the intelligent layperson' does exist - in the form of millions of folks with a passionate commitment to continuous learning.

  Stephen Jay Gould

  Commitment, Intelligent, Past

  "A grand finale" by Robin McKie, www.theguardian.com. May 26, 2002.

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• Cynicism is for lightweights.

  Jewel

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• The European arguments against the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act demonstrate that "some Europeans have never lost faith in appeasement as a way of life. It is clear that Iran is cynically manipulating gullible (or equally cynical) Europeans to advance its development of weapons of mass destruction.

  John Bolton

  Mass Destruction, Iran, Cynical

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• For years, I had used these fractured men to justify my cynicism and workaholism, and the grief, insomnia and casual anorexia were no longer of any interest to me.

  Antonella Gambotto-Burke

  Grief, Insomnia, Men

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• Capitalism has destroyed our belief in any effective power but that of self interest backed by force. But even Capitalist cynicism will admit that however unconscionable we may be when our own interests are affected, we can be most indignantly virtuous at the expense of others.

  George Bernard Shaw

  Self, May, Belief

  "The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Socialism and Capitalism". Book by George Bernard Shaw, p. 214, 1928.

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• Cynicism is the calling card of unhappy people.

  Iimani David

  People, Unhappy, Cards

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• Eating at a new, highly recommended restaurant is like a Very Important Blind Date, a contract with uncertainty you enter into with great expectation battling the cynicism of experience. You sit waiting, wondering about the upcoming moments of revelation. Somewhere in the back of your head is the dour warning that disappointment is inevitable but you don't really believe it or you wouldn't be there. The best eaters are always optimists.

  Stuart Stevens

  Disappointment, Believe, Food

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• It's like in most parts of America, where there was industry and there is no longer; there is cynicism mixed with sarcasm and some optimism. That's how my background influenced my comedy.

  Jim Gaffigan

  Sarcasm, America, Optimism

  "Gaffigan getting ready to bring 'Sexy' to the Keith". Interview with Ben Fields, www.herald-dispatch.com. September 27, 2008.

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• A cynic sees little to admire in the world, while the world sees even less to admire in him.

  Evan Esar

  World, Littles, Admire

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• Cynicism does not cause inaction.

  David Wong

  Doe, Causes, Inaction

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• 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.

  Jim Gaffigan

  Growing Up, Thinking, Self

  "Ask Jim Gaffigan". Live chat, www.washingtonpost.com. November 28, 2007.

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• A cheap and easy cynicism rails at everything. The master of the art accomplishes the formidable task of discrimination.

  Ambrose Bierce

  Art, Tasks, Discrimination

  Ambrose Bierce (2012). “The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 8 Epigrams, On With the Dance, Negligible Tales”, p.250, tredition

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

  Camille Paglia

  Violence, Barbarism, Idealism

  Camille Paglia (1990). “Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson”, Vintage

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• We must face the bitter fact that we have forsaken our great dream of a life of, for, and by the people; that the burning passions and ideals of the American dream lie congealed by cold cynicism. Great parts of the masses of our people no longer believe that they have a voice or a hand in shaping the destiny of this nation. They have not forsaken democracy because of any desire or positive action of their own; they have been driven down into the depths of a great despair born of frustration, hopelessness, and apathy. A democracy lacking in popular participation dies of paralysis.

  Saul Alinsky

  Dream, Lying, Believe

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• What all this posturing and fake glamor results in is a vast detachment and cynicism on the part of the artists. Since it's impossible to have respect for an audience that'll take just about anything you care to dish out, and the impassive demeanor is so central to the role, a general numbnose is all that can be expected.

  Lester Bangs

  Artist, Fake, Roles

  Lester Bangs (2013). “Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung: The Work of a Legendary Critic: Rock'N'Roll as Literature and Literature as Rock 'N'Roll”, p.110, Anchor

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• It is a testament to our naïveté about culture that we think that we can change it by simply declaring new values. Such declarations usually produce only cynicism.

  Peter Senge

  Thinking, Vets, Culture

  "The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook". Book by Peter Senge, 1994.

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• The idea of it was I was thinking about how when you're a kid you get this unconditional love and you spend the rest of your life trying to find that, but you can't because everyone's in it for their own thing. It's kind of cynical.

  Sam Endicott

  Kids, Unconditional Love, Thinking

  "Bravery Kick Off Tour, Plan Video With Animals" by Corey Moss, www.mtv.com. September 14, 2005.

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• There is no inevitable connection between Christianity and cynicism. Truth is not a salad, is it, that you must always dress it with vinegar?

  William Morley Punshon

  Connections, Dresses, Salad

  William Morley Punshon (1873). “Lectures and Sermons”, p.20, Adam, Stevenson

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

  Molly Ivins

  Sound, Sides, Arguing

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• Be polite to all, but intimate with few.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Intimate, Polite, Presidency

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• Cynicism is what passes for insight among the mediocre.

  Joe Klein

  Mediocre, Insight

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• People notice peacemakers because they dress funny. We know how the people who make war dress - in uniforms and medals, or in computers and clipboards, or in absoluteness, severity, greed, and cynicism. But the peacemaker is dressed in righteousness, justice, and faithfulness - dressed for the work that is to be done.

  Walter Brueggemann

  Love, Faith, Peace

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• Cynicism is a choice. Optimism is a better choice.

  Shonda Rhimes

  Optimism, Choices, Brilliant

  Twitter post from Jul 30, 2014

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• Many people today believe that cynicism requires courage. Actually, cynicism is the height of cowardice. It is innocence and open-heartednes s that requires the true courage -- however often we are hurt as a result of it.

  Erica Jong

  Hurt, Believe, People

  FaceBook post by Erica Jong from Feb 03, 2012

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