"A cheap and easy cynicism rails against everything. Only the owner of this art gets to perform the formidable task of distinction. "
Cynicism is, in effect a sharp right way. A cynical statement is a true statement that the listener deems offensive.
The human character and literary personality of Ambrose Bierce have earned many epithets: sour, bitter, caustic, realistic, sadistic, lucid, pessimistic, satirical, adventurer, misanthrope, rebellious, nihilistic, sardonic ... but maybe that would best sum is the cynical.
Ambrose Bierce is a genius burned by the spirit of truth that is burning in its wake temples and palaces.