"Un cynique est un homme qui, quand il sent des fleurs, cherche un cercueil autour de lui"
— H. L. Mencken
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Simplified Meaning:
A cynical person always looks for the bad side of things, even in positive situations. Imagine someone giving you a beautiful bunch of flowers to make you feel happy. A cynic wouldn't simply enjoy the gift; instead, they'd think something bad must be happening or coming, like a funeral. For example, if everyone at work is given a bonus, a cynical person might suspect that the company is planning layoffs soon. Instead of feeling grateful or happy, they always expect a hidden downside. If you often think like this, try to focus on the good things around you without assuming something bad will follow. By doing this, you might find more joy and less worry in your daily life.
Related tags
Cynicism Dark humor Human nature Irony Perspective Pessimism Philosophy Realism Skepticism Wit
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