Cynicism creates a destructive cycle of mistrust and negativity within communities and individuals. A cynical outlook leads people to believe that others are brutish and untrustworthy, which fuels a self-fulfilling prophecy. Cynics often behave distrustfully, like excessively following up on loans or preemptively disrespecting friends, which provokes resentment and selfish behavior in others. This interaction reinforces the cynic's beliefs, perpetuating a cycle of alienation and negativity that worsens over time, demonstrating that a lack of trust not only harms relationships but also fosters the very behaviors that maintain cynicism.