Cynical is a fool's word for realist.
PAUL CHRISTOPHER, The Lucifer Gospel
Some people argue against both optimism and pessimism in favor of so-called realistic thinking. They distrust optimism on the grounds that it causes us to sugercoat problems, discount risks, and exaggerate the upside. Pessimism, on the other hand, is criticized as too downbeat, de-energizing, and generally damaging in its impact. This crown prefers realism as the neutral and objective middle ground.
PRICE PRITCHETT, Hard Optimism
I don’t want realism. I want magic!
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS, A Streetcar Named Desire
