Cynics and Lesser Mortals

CYNICS often start out as bright pupils, for they have a natural disposition to reason objectively without a fuss, initially—that is, without wondering whether one ought to be objective or how reasonable that might be. Comparatively, the simple act of being rational is an ordeal and a cause of unending self-torment to the rest of us, Lesser Mortals. If there is such a thing as a sarcastic streak in the make-up, that is seldom self-evident in the early years.