The main root of cynicism is negativity, which can be brought on by pride or hyper-criticism. The truly humble person is not prone to cynicism, as those who fall into cynicism judge that they are better than other people.
Pride causes negativity when people tend to blame others for their problems instead of taking responsibility for their own sins.
Pride cause judgement, the seeking of the mote in the other's eye instead of looking a the beam in one's own.
Negativity breeds cynicism. A person wants perfection, a utopian society, without work or effort. Negativity comes from the false expectations of others.
Cynicism is also idolatry. This idolatry worships comfort and hates suffering. One of the most cynical persons I know thinks that all people lie, because she does. She also wants to avoid suffering, and if she must, like being uncomfortable at work, she will blame others for the state of affairs and not want to suffer through difficulties.
The woman then complains, incessantly and falls into a martyr pattern. No one could possibly suffer as much as she does. Yet, she hates suffering and only wants comfort.
She sees suffering as masochism, never as a tool used by God for perfection.
Her cynicism infects her entire world, as she complains, judges, feels depressed. Yet, she refuses to look in the mirror and change herself.
The cynic is frequently self-centered and wants the world to revolve around her needs.This same cynic has no belief in God, or the efficacy of prayer, or grace.
To be a cynic is to choose to live in a grey shadow-land of unhappiness.
Ironically, this same cynic feels superior to all others, and therefore has the right to judge.
The road to perfection must start with a conversion away from cynicism to hope and the belief in change, the metanoia of self.
