Within he felt that faint stirring of derision for the whole business of life which is the salt of the American mentality. Outwardly they are sentimental and enthusiastic and inwardly they are profoundly cynical.

Cynicism is humor in ill health.

Tewler Americanus in particular was irritated by a harsh logic that overrode his dearest belief in his practical isolation, whenever he chose to withdraw himself, from the affairs of the rest of the world. He had escaped from the old world and he hated to feel that he was being drawn back to share a common destiny with the rest of mankind.

But they're already singing our praises!"
"They are Americans. They toot their horns for anything.

A cynic is just a man who found out when he was ten that there wasn't any Santa Claus, and he's still upset.

If they want a fight in January, they'll get it, ... From what I'm hearing today, there is an overwhelming sentiment of anger by state employees at the governor.