Guarding yourself against deception is not cynicism. In fact, way to go if you want a timely detection, deletion or neutralisation of today's human-based viruses.

Refusing to let everyone walk all over you as if some doormat is not arrogance. You're just recognising and respecting your worth, making mama proud if you ask me.

From once it's legit and not intended to be attained by taking away from others, no self improvement drive is selfish... but we tend to confuse these things.