--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Idealism is what precedes experience…" description: "\"Idealism is what precedes experience, cynicism is what follows.\" — David Wolf" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e5/david-wolf-70451_cynicism_idealism-is-what-precedes-experience-cyn_1377057.jpg" --- # Idealism is what precedes experience, cynicism is what… ![“Idealism is what precedes experience, cynicism is what follows.” quote by David Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e5/david-wolf-70451_cynicism_idealism-is-what-precedes-experience-cyn_1377057.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e5/david-wolf-70451_cynicism_idealism-is-what-precedes-experience-cyn_1377057.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e5/david-wolf-70451_cynicism_idealism-is-what-precedes-experience-cyn_1377057.jpg) > “Idealism is what precedes experience, cynicism is what follows.” David Wolf ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Idealism precedes experience; cynicism follows after reality reveals flaws. **In simple terms:** Idealism comes first, cynicism later. Key Takeaway Balance optimism with realistic insight. Themes philosophy psychology worldview Mood thoughtful balanced Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - career planning - political analysis - personal growth - education Key Concepts idealism cynicism experience Questions to Reflect On - When does healthy skepticism become harmful? - How can you retain hope after disappointment? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on cynicism can lead to disengagement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cynicism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynicism/) [Idealism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idealism/) [Pessimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimism/) ## Related quotes > [“The “experience” which we need to understand logic is not that such and such is the case, but that something is; but that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-wittgenstein/the-experience-which-we-need-to-understand-logic-is-not-that-such-and/) [Ludwig Wittgenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-wittgenstein/) > [There's no reason to assume that my idea of what's better would really be better. I resent it when other people try to inflict…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/there-s-no-reason-to-assume-that-my-idea-of-what-s-better-would/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [I realize that idealism is out of sync with the cynicism of our age. 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Bring to the job… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-blagojevich/i-think-the-most-important-thing-is-to-restore-a-sense-of-idealism/) [Rod Blagojevich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-blagojevich/) > [We must rekindle the fire of idealism in our society, for nothing suffocates the promise of America more than unbounded cynicism and indifference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/we-must-rekindle-the-fire-of-idealism-in-our-society-for-nothing/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." 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If I couldn't play no more I think that would just be the end of Connie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wolf/i-just-have-an-unbelievable-commitment-to-basketball-if-i-couldn-t/) David Wolf > [“As Hawk moved away, he heard the girl ask, "Wilt, what sign were you born under?" "The dollar sign, answered Chamberlain. "The dollar sign.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wolf/as-hawk-moved-away-he-heard-the-girl-ask-wilt-what-sign-were-you-born/) david wolf Explore all 4 David Wolf quotes ## More Cynicism quotes > [Scepticism and cynicism about politics is so great that one of the best counters to it is what you can do at a local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-miliband/scepticism-and-cynicism-about-politics-is-so-great-that-one-of-the/) [Ed Miliband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-miliband/) > [“Wish in one hand, shit in the other, see which one fills up faster.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-oxenhandler/wish-in-one-hand-shit-in-the-other-see-which-one-fills-up-faster/) Noelle Oxenhandler > [There's a distinct unease about Americans when they are outside the United States. 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