History Main / TheCynic

A character who believes that the world is, to put it lightly, a bad place. Who expects the worst from everyone, believing that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards and morality is [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]], [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]], or [[EvilVersusEvil black and black]], assuming they subscribe to any notion of morality at all. If someone puts forward an idealistic or optimistic premise, TheCynic is about equally likely to respond with '[[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids That's moronic]],' as 'That's a nice idea in theory, never going to happen.' This character may be indifferent to their (perceived) CrapsackWorld, or may be [[KnightInSourArmour heavily critical]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]].

Related to TheCynic and very often overlapping is ThePessimist, who will always expect the worst out of everyone and everything, believing that[[ FinaglesLaw anything that can go wrong will go wrong]], and sometimes even things that can't. TheCynic, however, is likely to be more apathetic and less {{Wangst}}y about the whole thing.

A character who emphasizes the hardness of life in general and genuinely believes that the world is a bad place. The guy who, if someone puts forward an idealistic or optimistic premise, is likely to respond with either '[[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids That's moronic]],' or 'That's a nice idea in theory, never going to happen,' probably [[{{Deconstruction}} pointing out all the flaws]] as they go. This character may be indifferent to their (perceived) CrapsackWorld, or may be [[KnightInSourArmour heavily critical]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]].

An extreme version of The Cynic is The Pessimist, who always expect the worst out of everyone and everything ([[FinaglesLaw Anything that can go wrong will go wrong]], HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]], [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]] or [[EvilVersusEvil black and black]]). Pessimists can be GenreSavvy if used properly, but used badly and you can expect them being criticized for being {{wangst}}y.

The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynics]], were not especially cynical as we now understand the term - they believed that people should reject all conventional notions of happiness, like those that involved wealth, power, fame, idealism, etc., and live a simple, natural life with no possessions, like Buddhism. However, since most of the cynics took the philosophy to its logical extreme (such as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes_of_Sinope Diogenes of Sinope]], one of the pioneers of the philosophy), criticizing social values while living dog-like lives (cynic is from the Greek word kynikos, "dog-like"), they were seen by thinkers in the late 18th and early 19th century as pessimists, misanthropes and {{Nietzsche Wannabe}}s.

Polar Opposite of TheIdealist. Compare/contrast TheStoic. See also CynicismTropes, SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism.

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place. The guy who, if someone puts forward an idealistic or optimistic premise, is likely to respond with either '[[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids That's moronic]],' or 'That's a nice idea in theory, never going to happen,' probably [[{{Deconstruction}} pointing out all the flaws]] as they go. This character may be indifferent to their (perceived) CrapsackWorld, or may be [[KnightInSourArmour heavily critical]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]].

An extreme version of The Cynic is The Pessimist, who always expect the worst out of everyone and everything ([[FinaglesLaw What can go wrong will go wrong]], HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]], [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]] or [[EvilVersusEvil black and black]]). Pessimists can be GenreSavvy if used properly, but used badly and you can expect them being criticized for being {{wangst}}y.

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place. The guy who, if someone puts forward an idealistic or optimistic premise, is likely to respond with either 'That's moronic,' or 'That's a nice idea in theory, never going to happen,' probably [[{{Deconstruction}} pointing out all the flaws]] as they go. This character may be indifferent to their (perceived) CrapsackWorld, or may be [[KnightInSourArmour heavily critical]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]].

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]], [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]] or [[EvilVersusEvil black and black]]. The guy who, if someone puts forward an idealistic or optimistic premise, is likely to respond with either 'That's moronic,' or 'That's a nice idea in theory, never going to happen,' probably [[{{Deconstruction}} pointing out all the flaws]] as they go. This character may be indifferent to their (perceived) CrapsackWorld, or may be [[KnightInSourArmour heavily critical]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]].

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]], [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]] or [[EvilVersusEvil black and black]]. The guy who, if someone puts forward an idealistic or optimistic premise, is likely to respond with either 'That's moronic,' or 'That's a nice idea in theory, never going to happen,' probably [[{{Deconstruction}} pointing out all the flaws as they go. This character may be indifferent to their (perceived) CrapsackWorld, or may be [[KnightInSourArmour heavily critical]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]].

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]], [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]] or [[EvilVersusEvil black and black]]. The guy who, after you put forward an idealistic or optimistic premise, is more likely to say "moronic idea, never going to happen" and/or start [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructing]] it. This character may be indifferent to their (perceived) CrapsackWorld, or may be [[KnightInSourArmour heavily]] [[CausticCritic critical]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]].

The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynics]], were not especially cynical as we now understand the term - they believed that people should reject all conventional notions of happiness, like those that involved wealth, power, fame, idealism, etc., and live a simple, natural life with no possessions, like Buddhism. However, since most of the cynics took the philosophy to its logical extreme (such as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes_of_Sinope Diogenes of Sinope]], one of the pioneers of the philosophy), criticizing social values while living dog-like lives (cynic is from the Greek word kynikos, "dog-like" and that from κύων, kyôn, "dog", not that [[HaruhiSuzumiya Kyon]]), they were seen by thinkers in the late 18th and early 19th century as pessimists, misanthropes and {{Nietzsche Wannabe}}s.

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]], [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]] or [[EvilVersusEvil black and black]]. The guy who, after you put forward an idealistic or optimistic premise, is more likely to say "nice idea, never going to happen" and/or start [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructing]] it. This character may be indifferent to their (perceived) CrapsackWorld, or may be [[KnightInSourArmour heavily]] [[CausticCritic critical]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]].

This character is likely to show up in either a CrapsackWorld, where they are always right, or in a SugarBowl, where [[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong they exist solely to be proven wrong]].

* KnightInSourArmour

The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynics]], were not especially cynical as we now understand the term - they believed that people should reject all conventional notions of happiness, like those that involved wealth, power, fame, idealism, etc., and live a simple, natural life with no possessions, like Buddhism. However, since most of the cynics took the philosophy to its logical extreme (such as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes_of_Sinope Diogenes of Sinope]], one of the pioneers of the philosophy), criticizing social values while living dog-like lives (cynic is from the Greek word kynikos, "dog-like" and that from κύων, kyôn, "dog", not that [[HaruhiSuzumiya Kyon]]), they were seen by thinkers in the late 18th and early 19th century as pessimists, [[MisanthropeSupreme misanthropes]] and {{Nietzsche Wannabe}}s.

Compare/contrast TheStoic. See also CynicismTropes, SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism.

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]], [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]] or [[EvilVersusEvil black and black]]. This character may be indifferent to their (perceived) CrapsackWorld, or may be [[KnightInSourArmour heavily critical]] and [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]].

The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynics]], were not especially cynical as we now understand the term - they believed that people should reject all conventional notions of happiness, like those that involved wealth, power, fame, idealism, etc., and live a simple, natural life with no possessions. However, since most of the cynics took the philosophy to its logical extreme (such as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes_of_Sinope Diogenes of Sinope]], one of the pioneers of the philosophy), criticizing social values while living dog-like lives (cynic is from the Greek word for dog, κύων, kyôn, "dog", not that [[HaruhiSuzumiya Kyon]]), they were seen by thinkers in the late 18th and early 19th century as pessimists, [[MisanthropeSupreme misanthropes]] and {{Nietzsche Wannabe}}s.

The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek Cynics, were not especially cynical as we now understand the term - they believed that people should reject all conventional notions of happiness, like those gained from wealth, power, fame, idealism, etc., and live a simple, natural life with no possessions. However, they were seen by thinkers in the late 18th and early 19th century as extreme pessimists, [[MisanthropeSupreme misanthropes]] and {{Nietzsche Wannabe}}s.

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is either [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]], [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]] or even [[EvilVersusEvil black and black]]. The guy who, after you discuss an idealistic plan, is more likely to say "nice idea, never going to happen" and/or start [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructing]] it. He's also more likely to be a DeadpanSnarker. This character can have varying degrees of indifference or [[CausticCritic caustic-ness]].

The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek Cynics , were not especially cynical -- they believed that people should reject all conventional notions of happiness like those gained from wealth, power, fame, idealism, etc., and live a simple, natural life with no possessions. But since the cynics took the philosophy to its extreme and tend to criticize Greco-Roman ideals while living dank dog-like lives (cynic is from the Greek word for dog, κύων, kyôn, "dog", not that [[HaruhiSuzumiya Kyon]]), they were seen by thinkers in the late 18th and early 19th century as extreme pessimists, [[MisanthropeSupreme misanthropes]] and {{Nietzsche Wannabe}}s.

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is either [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]] or [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]]. The guy who, after you discuss an idealistic plan, is more likely to say "nice idea, never going to happen" and/or start [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructing]] it. He's also more likely to be a DeadpanSnarker. Can have varying degrees of indifference or [[CausticCritic caustic-ness]].

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is either [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]] or [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]]. The guy who, after you discuss an idealistic plan, is more likely to say "nice idea, never going to happen" and/or start [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructing]] it. Can have varying degrees of indifference to this.

This character is likely to show up in either a CrapsackWorld, where they are always right, or in a SugarBowl, where [[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong they exist solely to be proven wrong]]. Compare/contrast TheStoic.

Has a fairly high probability of being a DeadpanSnarker or variant.

See also CynicismTropes, SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism.

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is either [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]] or [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]]. Can have varying degrees of indifference to this.

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is either [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]] or [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]]. Can have varying degrees of indifference to this. The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek Cynics, were not especially cynical -- they believed that people should reject all their desires for wealth, power, fame, etc., and live a simple life with no possessions. A cynic in the modern sense would either disagree, or say "nice idea, never going to happen."

This character is likely to show up in either a CrapsackWorld, where they are always right, or in a SugarBowl, where [[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong they exist solely to be proven wrong]].

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that HumansAreMorons and/or HumansAreBastards, and that morality is either [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]] or [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]]. Can have varying degrees of indifference to this. The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek Cynics, were not especially cynical - they believed that people should reject all their desires for wealth, power, fame etc, and live a simple life with no possessions. A cynic in the modern sense would either disagree, or say 'nice idea, never going to happen'.

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!!Can be a:

This is a SuperTrope, so examples should go to the relevant subpages if possible.

This character is likely to show up in either a CrapsackWorld, where they are always right, or in a SugarBowl, where [[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong they exist solely to be proved wrong]].

This character is likely to show up in either a CrapsackWorld, where they are always right, or in a SugarBowl, where they exist solely to be proved wrong.

* NietzcheWannabe

* Nietzche Wannabe

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, that [[HumansAreMorons]] and/or [[HumansAreBastards]], and that morality is either [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]] or [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]]. Can have varying degrees of indifference to this. The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek Cynics, were not especially cynical - they believed that people should reject all their desires for wealth, power, fame etc, and live a simple life with no possessions. A cynic in the modern sense would either disagree, or say 'nice idea, never going to happen'.

A character who genuinely believes that the world is a bad place, [[HumansAreMorons]] and/or [[HumansAreBastards]], and that morality is either [[GreyAndGrayMorality grey and grey]] or [[GreyAndBlackMorality grey and black]]. Can have varying degrees of indifference to this. The {{Trope Namer}}s, the Greek Cynics, were not especially cynical - they believed that people should reject all their desires for wealth, power, fame etc, and live a simple life with no possessions. A cynic in the modern sense would either disagree, or say 'nice idea, never going to happen'.