Possibly, misanthropy comes from actually caring TOO MUCH. It's the double edged sword of expecting a lot from people and society, caring, being principled, believing in limitless possibilities and feeling let down and cheated by the reality, and the shit lives people will put up with, and the shit people do to each other. I could be confusing misanthropy with depression, but the two can be irrevocably linked, really. Misanthropy is the preserve of the sensitive. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about...
A band who knew exactly what this all meant were Flipper. Check the lyrics to "Ever":
Ever live a life that's real
Full of zest, but no appeal
Ever want to cry so much
You want to die
Ever feel that you've been had
Had so much that you turn mad
Ever been, so depressed that
(to) those you turn to, you bring distress
Ever sit in tormenting silence
That turns so loud, you start to scream
Ever take control of a dream
And play all the parts and set all the scenes
Ever do nothing and gain nothing from it
Ever feel stupid and then know that you really are
Ever think you're smart and then find out you aren't
Ever play the fool and then find out that you're worse
Ever look at a flower and hate it
Ever see a couple kissing and get sickened by it
Ever wish the human race didn't exist
And then realize you're one too
Well, have you ... ever .. I have
So What
Conversely, it's one of the most uplifting songs you're likely to hear.