"A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin"

This quote by H. L. Mencken is a commentary on the nature of cynicism. A cynic is somebody who is overly hesitant and distrustful of others. They typically view the world in an unfavorable light and fast to point out the defects in any circumstance. The quote suggests that a cynic is so jaded that even when provided with something beautiful, like a flower, they are unable to appreciate it and instead look for the darker side of the scenario. This might be interpreted as a metaphor for how a cynic views life in basic; they are so concentrated on the capacity for disaster that they are unable to value the beauty of life. The quote suggests that a cynic is not able to find joy worldwide and rather tries to find the worst in every situation.