A cynic is a blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, and not as they ought to be.

Summary

This quote suggests that a cynic is someone who sees the world realistically, without any idealized or optimistic views. The word "blackguard" implies that they are morally corrupt or dishonorable. The phrase "sees things as they are" indicates that the cynic only perceives the harsh reality of situations, rather than looking for the potential for improvement or a better state of affairs. By saying "and not as they ought to be," it implies that the cynic disregards any notion of how things should be, leading to a negative and disillusioned perspective on life.