I was slapped back with unexpended turn:
…synonyms CYNICAL, MISANTHROPIC, PESSIMISTIC mean deeply distrustful. CYNICAL implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity. MISANTHROPIC suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society. PESSIMISTIC implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life…
Well, at that point I’ve agreed. When I think of it – yes, he’s damn right – distrustful IS the better explanation for a word.
Then I went to find more and it was sooooo interesting:
Cynicism is a Greek invention. The first Cynics were students of a now-obscure philosopher named Antisthenes, who in turn was a student of the illustrious Socrates. Like Socrates, the Cynics believed that virtue was the greatest good. But they took it a step further than the old master, who would merely challenge unsuspecting folks to good-natured debates and let their own foolishness trip them up.
The Cynics were more blunt when it came to exposing foolishness. They'd hang out in the streets like a pack of dogs ("Cynic" comes from the Greek word for dog), watch the passing crowd, and ridicule anyone who seemed pompous, pretentious, materialistic or downright wicked. Fiercely proud of their independence, they led disciplined and virtuous lives. As you might expect, the ancient Cynics' habit of ridiculing their fellow citizens didn't win them many friends. People generally don't like to hear the hard truth about themselves, especially in public. But the Cynics felt they were on a mission from Zeus. As the Stoic philosopher Epictetus wrote several centuries later, "A Cynic is a spy who aims to discover what things are friendly or hostile to man; after making accurate observations, he then comes back and reports the truth."…
LOL…that was a funny reading! So, in the end – I was right! “I was right! I was right!” [~dances a victory dance around the desk]
Well, that doesn’t implies that I disagree with the "distrustful" definition, coz, of course there is not much of a faith in humankind in cynic’s heart. But if you distrust people, that doesn’t necessary means – you are a cynic…mmmmm…or does it?
Anyway, like my opponent said:
bottom line in all of our endeavours is, knowledge, understanding and clarity
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Totally unrelated, but so cutely poured words, that I’d like to leave them here for keeps:
(you can tell, how much I love those meaningless dances around the mystery of The Word, can’ you?! LOL)
Explosion of passion’s pleasure, many find this, the most glorious treasure. Feelings riding throughout an emotional coaster rapidly with sudden periods of petrified time, released to tremors waltzing through vast starry visions depicting pyrotechnics and scrutiny to sensations seemly a crime. Alive and totally free from any moments not presently in tune, imagining passion encapsulated by the stars and a full magnificent moon. Heights reaching moments never before attained, thy body, mind, heart and soul aching with an extravagance one never could have refrained. Enchantment clutches as one drops as a feather returning from magnificence to the most serene contentment, momentarily cleansing away any and all resentment. Cuddled in love, one’s spirit rides the universe on the wings of a dove…