The essential reading list for cynics!

In these post modern times perhaps the only thing that holds us from going apart is Cynicism and may be Paranoia. Cynic. Its a negative word. The dictionary defines it as "a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self interest rather acting for honourable or unselfish reasons!"
But I am enamoured by it. In fact I would go to the extent of proclaiming myself as one. But I am not alone. A friend (he wrote a "Short Guide for the incorrigible cynic") believes that it is "halfway to enlightenment". I guess it is the difficult half. So just to prove us wrong, I decided to something altruisitic: Make an essential reading list for the the cynics!
I made the first two contributions and then threw it open on an eclectic whatsapp group. And was I surprised! Not only I got more suggestions than I had bargained for but promptly my two suggestions were quashed by the erudite! The suggestions were long enough to keep a cynic going for at least an year! Here is the list:

Comments

This is the definition of 'cynic' that I prefer: "CYNIC, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a cynic's eyes to improve his vision." (Ambrose Bierce, 'The Devil's Dictionary')
Varuna said…
That's a great job you have done, in spite of being so disillusioned... Would save the list.
Well said, anupam
Varuna said…
That's a great job you have done, in spite of being so disillusioned... Would save the list.
Well said, anupam

Popular Posts