Is it naive to be cynical?

No. But it is naive to remain cynical.

It seems like a mirror image but it's actually comparing things. Comparing to some. Seems like pessimism.

When it's just awareness. You got a car and see it everywhere. That doesn't prove everyone owns one of you made an unoriginal choice. It means you're more aware of what strengths you need and what is actually weak.

Cynical behavior is just because the person notices the weakness, notices the needed strength but doesn't think it's possible to get strong in that way. When you can but you need to give stuff up or work longer to get it. It's just natural. But ya know what isn't? Remaining butt hurt.

Cynicism is essential for survival. Experience teaches us that trust has to be earned and that it's naive not to be somewhat cynical. It isn't that everyone is bad, just that it can be difficult to tell who is, and who isn't.

If you think everyone is bad you are not cynical you are a moron. Cynics know when to trust and when to only seem like they trust people. Cynicism is not skepticism unleashed it is skepticism used surgically.

Quite the reverse. trusting everyone is naïve. You are not born a cynic. Like prejudice and hatred, it must be taught, either trough experience or inculcation. And yes, it doesn't take superior intelligence to know that trusting everyone is the opposite of trusting no one.

I think one has to protect themselves from people that would do them in. It isn't so much a matter of being cynical but being careful.

Is it naive to be cynical?

If someone believes that everyone is bad and that no-one is trustworthy, isn't that just the mirror opposite of thinking everyone is good and trustworthy?

~~~ 'Belief' is insanity!

"We do not see the world as it is, we see it as we are!"

It is naïve to be cynical when cynicism is not warranted. When cynicism is warranted, it is wise to be cynical.

Not really to say everyone is trust worthy is to hope for the best and it can happen . To suggest the worst is to deny the possible

its too extreme to think either one is too trusting and one who isnt. There is good and bad in everyone.

On all such genuine doubts pertaining to philosophy please strictly follow the good words of advice from your parents.