In this video, we’re going to explore the lives and works of five famous misanthropes, or at
least, people who had misanthropic tendencies, who made us laugh, cry, and think with their
hatred or distrust of humanity. They offered valuable insights into the human condition,
exposing its absurdities and contradictions with wit and wisdom. Although they are often
misunderstood and maligned by their fellow human beings, who may see them as cynical,
pessimistic, naysaying, or antisocial, many misanthropes have noble motives for their view,
such as compassion for the suffering of others, a desire for justice and truth, or a high standard
of excellence and beauty. They often challenge us to reflect on our own flaws and virtues,
and to question our assumptions and beliefs about ourselves and others. So without further ado,
here are five famous misanthropes who made us laugh, cry, and think.
The first person on our list who showed misanthropic tendencies is George Carlin. “I don’t
like people. They f*** everything up!” George Carlin was an American comedian who is regarded
as one of the most influential and controversial stand-up comics of all time. He used satire,
sarcasm, and profanity to mock various aspects of human society, such as politics, religion,
consumerism, and language. He was known for his “seven dirty words” routine, which challenged
the censorship laws of the time; his criticism of the American Dream and the corporate system;
his observations on the absurdity and hypocrisy of human behaviour; and his dark humour on topics
such as death, war, and religion. Carlin was not afraid to offend anyone or anything with
his jokes; he once said: “I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is
drawn and cross it deliberately.” Carlin was a self-proclaimed misanthrope who hated humanity
for its stupidity, ignorance, violence, and greed. He once said: “When you’re born you get
a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America you get a front row seat!” He also said:
“If you live on this planet, you’re guilty, period, f*** you, end of report,
next case!” Carlin was not optimistic about the future of humanity; he believed that humans were
doomed by their own nature and that the planet would be better off without us. He once said:
“The planet is fine. The people are f***ed!” Carlin died in 2008 at the age of 71. He left
behind a legacy of comedy that challenged us to laugh at ourselves and at our society.
The second misanthrope on our list is Charles Bukowski. “Almost everybody is born a genius
and buried an idiot.” Charles Bukowski was an American writer who is famous for his gritty and
realistic depiction of the lives of the poor, the alcoholic, and the marginalised. He wrote poems,
novels, short stories, and essays that expressed his cynical, pessimistic, and anti-social views
on humanity. He was influenced by writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Fyodor Dostoyevsky,
and Henry Miller. He was also inspired by his own experiences as a postal worker, a factory worker,
a dishwasher, a gambler, a drunkard, and a womaniser. Bukowski was a misanthrope who
hated humanity for its hypocrisy, corruption, and mediocrity. He once said: “Humanity, you never had
it from the beginning.” He also said: “The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are
full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.” Bukowski was not interested in
fame or success; he preferred to live a simple and honest life. He once said: “I don’t hate people.
I just feel better when they’re not around.” Bukowski died in 1994 at the age of 73. He left
behind a legacy of literature that challenged us to question ourselves and our society.
The third misanthrope on our list is Friedrich Nietzsche. “A casual stroll through the lunatic
asylum shows that faith does not prove anything.” Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher who
is known for his radical critique of morality, religion, and culture. He proclaimed the death
of God and the rise of the Übermensch, a superior type of human who creates his own values. He also
introduced concepts such as the will to power, the eternal recurrence, and the master-slave morality.
“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you
try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for
the privilege of owning yourself.” Nietzsche was a misanthrope who hated humanity for its weakness,
slavery, and decadence. He once said: “Man is something that shall be overcome.” He also said:
“Man is a rope, tied between beast and overman — a rope over an abyss.” Nietzsche was not satisfied
with the existing values or ideals of humanity; he sought to create new ones. He once said:
“Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions
destroyed.” He also said: “In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties,
nations and epochs, it is the rule.” Nietzsche died in 1900 at the age of 55. He left behind
a legacy of philosophy that challenged us to think for ourselves and our society.
The fourth misanthrope on our list is Søren Kierkegaard. “How absurd men are! They never use
the liberties they have, they demand those they do not have. People demand freedom of speech as
a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.” Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish
philosopher who is considered the father of existentialism. He was critical of society,
religion, and human nature, and advocated for individual freedom and authenticity. He wrote
books such as Either/Or, Fear and Trembling, and The Sickness Unto Death. He was influenced by
writers such as Socrates, Plato, and Hegel. He was also inspired by his own experiences as a writer,
a lover, a believer, and a sufferer. Kierkegaard was a misanthrope who hated humanity for its
conformity, superficiality, and cowardice. He once said: “The crowd is untruth.” He also said:
“The most common form of despair is not being who you are.” Kierkegaard was not interested in
popularity or recognition; he preferred to live a solitary and paradoxical life. He once said:
“People understand me so poorly that they don’t even understand my complaint about them not
understanding me.” He also said: “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t
true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” Kierkegaard also commented on the future
of humanity: “A fire broke out backstage in a theatre. The clown came out to warn the public;
they thought it was a joke and applauded. He repeated it; the acclaim was even greater. I
think that’s just how the world will come to an end: to general applause from wits
who believe it’s a joke.” Kierkegaard died in 1855 at the age of 42. He left behind a
legacy of philosophy that challenged us to think for ourselves and our society.
The fifth and final misanthrope on our list is a fictional character, but worth including,
Ebenezer Scrooge. “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus
population.” Ebenezer Scrooge is a character from Charles Dickens’ novel A Christmas Carol.
He is a wealthy but miserly businessman who hates Christmas and everything that goes with
it. He is rude, cold, and greedy, and treats his employees, relatives, and neighbours with
contempt. He is visited by four ghosts who show him the error of his ways and the consequences of
his misanthropy. Of note, the fourth ghost is the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, who shows him his
lonely and miserable death, and the fate of those he neglected or harmed. Scrooge is terrified by
what he sees and begs for a chance to change his life. Scrooge was a misanthrope who hated humanity
for its weakness, folly, and wastefulness. He once said: “Every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry
Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding.” Scrooge was not happy or fulfilled
by his wealth or power; he was lonely and bitter. When speaking to the ghost of his former partner
Jacob Marley, he said: “You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese,
a fragment of an underdone potato. There’s more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you
are!” Scrooge is a fictional character who made us cry at ourselves and our society.
So there you have it: five famous misanthropes who made us laugh, cry, and think about the
folly of humanity. But what do you think? Do you agree with their views? Do you admire them
or despise them? Do you know any other famous misanthropes? Let us know in the comments below.