New Delhi, May 23 -- "Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the furthest thing from it. Because cynics don't learn anything." - Stephen Colbert

LiveMint's quote of the day by Stephen Colbert, who argues that cynicism is a defence mechanism disguised as intelligence.

Colbert bowed out as The Late Show host on Friday after CBS cancelled the show he has hosted since 2015. The show was axed after he mocked the broadcaster for a $16 million settlement with US President Donald Trump for allegedly "maliciously" editing an interview with his Democratic election rival Kamala Harris.

Colbert is exposing a common psychological trap with this quote: the belief that assuming the worst about people, institutions, and ideas makes you smarter or m...