First, let us define our term. What is cynicism? It is defined as "an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism."
Usually, when someone is called "cynical" it is NOT a compliment.
"Yes, you should really go out with that boy. He's a real cynic. A pleasure to be around".
You won't hear anyone saying that.
I am actually bothered by some [although not most] of the posts on this blog that can be cynical. Why can't the guy who writes this always highlight the positive??
B/c we prefer to live in reality and not a make believe world.
The pasuk says "כי יצר לב האדם רע מנעוריו". Man has an evil inclination from his youth. Every person without exception has a very cunning, duplicitous, sly, sneaky "being" inside of them called the "Yetzer Hara". We cannot escape him. He is ALWAYS there. You go to the mountains for the summer - he comes with you. You go to Israel by plane - he comes along for the trip without a passport and without ordering a seat or meal - kosher or otherwise. He is there when you are working, learning, davening, intimate with a spouse, saying Neilah on Yom Kippur, eating a meal, asked for a favor, etc. etc. At certain times he is more active than at others but present he is always.
So one can live in la-la land and think that everyone is only good and that people's intentions are nothing but sincere. Everyone out there is 100 percent just looking out for your well being and success. Everyone wakes up in the morning with the attitude that all they want to do that day is spread love, goodness, sunshine, as much money as possible to Tzdaka, chesed etc. etc. That is our world. You can inhabit such a universe if you make that your narrative. But it would be pure דמיון - imagination. just like you can create a narrative that everyone travels by horse and that you are the Queen of England.
The world WILL be a utopian reality in the future but it is certainly not today. Thinking pollyannaish ["pleasantly (even unrealistically) optimistic"] can create big problems in life. [Take it from a *dude* whose naivete about people's intentions and motivations have caused him to make numerous life changing mistakes and many smaller ones too].
That being the case one must ALSO not forget that every person was created in the image of G-d and as such they also have a holy, pure, altruistic side to them. We are a mixed bag. אמאל א מלאך - אמאל א גלח. [I would translate but it is not nearly as much fun in translation].
The practical upshot is that we have to look inside of ourselves to make sure that we are as altruistic, לשמה, kind, generous, self effacing and egoless as possible. It should always be about רצון השם and making others happy [while not negating our needs totally because we ALSO are here for a purpose]. When dealing with others we should always be cordial, respectful, sensitive and kind while at the same time knowing that we are dealing with a person who has a great deal of self interest and it is *possible* that they will try to take advantage of us.
There are many families where they end up in court fighting over money, inheritances etc. etc. There are many parents who abuse their children and children who can be abusive towards parents. These things happen. If it happens in family - a fortiori ["קל וחומר" in Spanish] with people outside the family.
B/c we prefer to live in reality and not a make believe world.
The pasuk says "כי יצר לב האדם רע מנעוריו". Man has an evil inclination from his youth. Every person without exception has a very cunning, duplicitous, sly, sneaky "being" inside of them called the "Yetzer Hara". We cannot escape him. He is ALWAYS there. You go to the mountains for the summer - he comes with you. You go to Israel by plane - he comes along for the trip without a passport and without ordering a seat or meal - kosher or otherwise. He is there when you are working, learning, davening, intimate with a spouse, saying Neilah on Yom Kippur, eating a meal, asked for a favor, etc. etc. At certain times he is more active than at others but present he is always.
So one can live in la-la land and think that everyone is only good and that people's intentions are nothing but sincere. Everyone out there is 100 percent just looking out for your well being and success. Everyone wakes up in the morning with the attitude that all they want to do that day is spread love, goodness, sunshine, as much money as possible to Tzdaka, chesed etc. etc. That is our world. You can inhabit such a universe if you make that your narrative. But it would be pure דמיון - imagination. just like you can create a narrative that everyone travels by horse and that you are the Queen of England.
The world WILL be a utopian reality in the future but it is certainly not today. Thinking pollyannaish ["pleasantly (even unrealistically) optimistic"] can create big problems in life. [Take it from a *dude* whose naivete about people's intentions and motivations have caused him to make numerous life changing mistakes and many smaller ones too].
That being the case one must ALSO not forget that every person was created in the image of G-d and as such they also have a holy, pure, altruistic side to them. We are a mixed bag. אמאל א מלאך - אמאל א גלח. [I would translate but it is not nearly as much fun in translation].
The practical upshot is that we have to look inside of ourselves to make sure that we are as altruistic, לשמה, kind, generous, self effacing and egoless as possible. It should always be about רצון השם and making others happy [while not negating our needs totally because we ALSO are here for a purpose]. When dealing with others we should always be cordial, respectful, sensitive and kind while at the same time knowing that we are dealing with a person who has a great deal of self interest and it is *possible* that they will try to take advantage of us.
There are many families where they end up in court fighting over money, inheritances etc. etc. There are many parents who abuse their children and children who can be abusive towards parents. These things happen. If it happens in family - a fortiori ["קל וחומר" in Spanish] with people outside the family.
When Hashem spoke to the Jewish people, He felt it necessary to tell them "My sweet children - Don't kill, sleep with each other's wives, kidnap each other or testify falsely in court. USSS? You are suspecting USSSSS?
Yes I am, saith the Lord.
We WISH that "public servants" such as politicians were all 100 percent working for the people with no element of ego or self interest but sadly this is not *always* the case. That doesn't mean that all politicians are all bad. Chas Vi-shalom. It DOES mean that what you see and hear isn't always what you are getting and that at times they act in ways that benefit themselves to the detriment of others.
A healthy self aware person is cognizant of the two sides of his nature and is ever vigilant to make sure that "אותו זקן וכסיל" - that cunning, foolish elder [the Yetzer Hara] doesn't get the better of him.
We WISH that "public servants" such as politicians were all 100 percent working for the people with no element of ego or self interest but sadly this is not *always* the case. That doesn't mean that all politicians are all bad. Chas Vi-shalom. It DOES mean that what you see and hear isn't always what you are getting and that at times they act in ways that benefit themselves to the detriment of others.
A healthy self aware person is cognizant of the two sides of his nature and is ever vigilant to make sure that "אותו זקן וכסיל" - that cunning, foolish elder [the Yetzer Hara] doesn't get the better of him.
The antidote?
MUUUUUUUUSSARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!
החזק במוסר אל תרף - נצרה כי היא חייך!!!!!!!!!
"החזק במוסר אל תרף", אמנם אחר שיצרי הלב הם מתנגדים לחקי החכמה, כי ציורי לבו נוטים לרעה והם הפוכים מדרך החכמה, צריך הוא למוסר שבו יאסור כחות נפשו בל יליזו מדרכי החכמה, וכבר בארתי בתחלת הספר שמוסר הזה הוא יראת ה', כמ"ש יראת ה' מוסר חכמה, שע"י יראת ה' יירא מלעבור על חוקי החכמה אשר מאתו נתנו, אולם גם המוסר הזה ויראת ה' אינו מתעורר מעצמו בנפש האדם, וצריך להחזיק בו בכל עז בל תסור יראת ה' מזכרונו רגע, ולכן אמר "החזק במוסר", שהוא המחזיק הדבר בעל כרחו "ואל תרף", שאם תרפנו רגע יסור מזכרונך, ועי"ז "נצרה" תצור את החכמה, שע"י החזקת המוסר ישמרו חקי החכמה בלבו, "כי הוא חייך" כי החכמה היא חיי הנפש (כנ"ל ג' כ"ב ויהיו חיים לנפשך), שהחכמה היא חיי הנפש וזולתה לא תחיה חיים נפשיים רק חיים בהמיים שאינם חייך, ר"ל חיי האדם: [מלבי"ם]
