Cynical Quote by Thomas Wolfe
““At these repeated signs of decadence in a society which had once been the object of his envy and his highest ambition, Webber's face had begun to take on a look of scorn...Yes, all these people looked at one another with untelling eyes. Their speech was casual, quick, and witty. But they did not say the things they knew. And they knew everything. They had seen everything. They had accepted everything. And they received every new intelligence now with a cynical and amused look in their untelling eyes. Nothing shocked them anymore. It was the way things were. It was what they had come to expect of life...He himself had not yet come to that, he did not want to come to it.””
About This Quote
Society’s decay leads to cynicism and acceptance of emptiness, leaving the observer detached.
In simple terms: Cynicism grows when society declines.
Key Takeaway
Stay aware, avoid complacency.
Themes
cynicism
decadence
disillusionment
Mood
skeptical
detached
Type
literary
analytical
When to use this quote
- urban life
- cultural analysis
- personal alienation
Key Concepts
social critique
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does cynicism affect your actions?
- Can hope persist amid decay?
A Different Perspective
Cynicism can prevent meaningful change.
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