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.

Summary

This quote humorously highlights the cynic's perspective on reality. It suggests that cynics possess a realistic viewpoint, seeing things as they are rather than romanticizing or idealizing them. However, it also implies that this perspective may be considered faulty or negative by others, who prefer to see the world as it "ought to be." The reference to the Scythians plucking out a cynic's eyes to improve their vision further emphasizes the disconnect between the cynic's perception and the societal norms or expectations.

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