--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is good to be a cynic — it is better…" description: "\"It is good to be a cynic — it is better to be a contented cat — and it is best not to exist at all.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/anonymous-1_cat_it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to_470053.jpg" --- # It is good to be a cynic — it is better to be a contented… ![“It is good to be a cynic — it is better to be a contented cat — and it is best not to exist at all.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/anonymous-1_cat_it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to_470053.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/anonymous-1_cat_it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to_470053.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/anonymous-1_cat_it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to_470053.jpg) > “It is good to be a cynic — it is better to be a contented cat — and it is best not to exist at all.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being cynical, content, or non-existent each have varying merits, but non-existence is deemed best. **In simple terms:** Cynicism, contentment, and nonexistence are compared, with nonexistence favored. Key Takeaway Reflect on the value of existence. Themes cynicism contentment existential Mood melancholic reflective Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - mental health struggles - philosophical contemplation - life decisions Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What makes life worth living? - Can contentment be achieved without cynicism? A Different Perspective Nonexistence is not a practical solution for most. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Contented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-contented-4065998/) [Cat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cat/) [Contented Cat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contented-cat-2693993/) [Cynic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynic/) [Cynic Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynic-better-1804295/) [Cynicism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynicism/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Good Cynic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-cynic-1804296/) ## Related quotes > [It is good to be a cynic - it is better to be a contented cat - and it is best not to exist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-lovecraft/it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to-be-a-contented-cat-and-it-is-2/) [H. P. Lovecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-lovecraft/) > [It's good to be a cynic. I'm a cynic. But the best part of being a cynic is somebody proving you wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-king/it-s-good-to-be-a-cynic-i-m-a-cynic-but-the-best-part-of-being-a/) [Tom King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-king/) > [Nothing looks as self-satisfied as a contented cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mertz/nothing-looks-as-self-satisfied-as-a-contented-cat/) [Barbara Mertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mertz/) > [“I was just thinking how the purr of a contented cat is one of my favorite sounds in the world. There's something so comforting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-lam/i-was-just-thinking-how-the-purr-of-a-contented-cat-is-one-of-my/) [Laura Lam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-lam/) > [“The imagination is a cynic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hugo/the-imagination-is-a-cynic/) [Richard Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hugo/) > [ \[Christianity\] neither enjoins the nastiness of the Cynic, nor the insensibility of the Stoic. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-berkeley/christianity-neither-enjoins-the-nastiness-of-the-cynic-nor-the/) [George Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-berkeley/) > [Cynicism was a school in Greece - the Cynics. Diogenes is a famous Cynic. There was a strong belief in nihilism and narcissism. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/cynicism-was-a-school-in-greece-the-cynics-diogenes-is-a-famous-cynic/) [Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/) > [A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, his is also one who is permanently disappointed in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/a-cynic-is-not-merely-one-who-reads-bitter-lessons-from-the-past-his/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [The only way to do my job without optimism would be as a cynic, and that's not my nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-snow/the-only-way-to-do-my-job-without-optimism-would-be-as-a-cynic-and/) [Jon Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-snow/) > [The cynic makes fun of all earnestness; he makes fun of everything and everyone who feels that something can be done. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-edgar-vincent/the-cynic-makes-fun-of-all-earnestness-he-makes-fun-of-everything-and/) [George Edgar Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-edgar-vincent/) > [The idea of The Boy Vs. The Cynic is the tension between the wide-eyed optimism in youthfulness where you think nothing can go wrong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-reuben-zappin/the-idea-of-the-boy-vs-the-cynic-is-the-tension-between-the-wide-eyed/) [John Reuben Zappin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-reuben-zappin/) > [I get the cynicism thing all the time, although I don't really know where that comes from, because I think I'm actually the opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-taibbi/i-get-the-cynicism-thing-all-the-time-although-i-don-t-really-know/) [Matt Taibbi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-taibbi/) > [Only the broken-hearted idealist can become a cynic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-clifton/only-the-broken-hearted-idealist-can-become-a-cynic/) [Mark Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-clifton/) > [“That's what I've never been able to get about religion: that charmless combination of altruism and insanity. Give me a cynical, self-interested bastard any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-carey/that-s-what-i-ve-never-been-able-to-get-about-religion-that-charmless/) [Mike Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-carey/) > [Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/cynicism-masquerades-as-wisdom-but-it-is-the-farthest-thing-from-it/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Cat quotes > [That's the great secret of creativity. 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The cat often leaves the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-dog-is-guided-by-kindly-instinct-to-the-man-or-woman-whose-heart/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [If you ask me to tell you anything about the nature of what lies beyond the phaneron… my answer is “How should I know?”……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gardner/if-you-ask-me-to-tell-you-anything-about-the-nature-of-what-lies/) [Martin Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gardner/) > [Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou ow'st the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/is-man-no-more-than-this-consider-him-well-thou-ow-st-the-worm-no/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [One cat just leads to another. 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However, if a sheep stole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-harding/in-the-olden-days-in-england-you-could-be-hung-for-stealing-a-sheep/) [Mike Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-harding/) > [Kittens can happen to anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gallico/kittens-can-happen-to-anyone/) [Paul Gallico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gallico/) > [I think if you keep the box closed long enough you do kill the cat, actually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-think-if-you-keep-the-box-closed-long-enough-you-do-kill-the-cat/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“All right, you deadly little ghostlings,” I muttered. “Mama says go back to bed! - Cat”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/all-right-you-deadly-little-ghostlings-i-muttered-mama-says-go-back/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [Man wishes woman to be peaceable, but in fact she is essentially warlike, like the cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/man-wishes-woman-to-be-peaceable-but-in-fact-she-is-essentially/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [There are videos I used to take at home, pretending to be a newscaster, interviewing the teapot or my house cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-wagner/there-are-videos-i-used-to-take-at-home-pretending-to-be-a-newscaster/) [Alex Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-wagner/) [Browse all 2,996 Cat quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cat/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is good to be a cynic — it is better to be a contented cat — and it is best not to exist at all.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to-be-a-contented-cat-and-it-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cat" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to-be-a-contented-cat-and-it-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/anonymous-1_cat_it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to_470053.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/anonymous-1_cat_it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to_470053.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/anonymous-1_cat_it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to_470053.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is good to be a cynic — it is better to be a contented cat — and it is best not to exist at all.” — Anonymous", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is good to be a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to-be-a-contented-cat-and-it-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-good-to-be-a-cynic-it-is-better-to-be-a-contented-cat-and-it-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```