What should I do about a coworker's negative attitude?

Ever since I've known him, he's been the most negative person I've ever known. He whines, complains and uses profanity language everyday. It's really making work unpleasant and I don't know what to do. I don't want to report him to upper management because I've learned they'll just shoot the messenger. If I confront him about it, he'll just go and complain to someone else about me and make up stories. It's hard to ignore/avoid him because he sits right by me and we work in the same department. Ten people just got laid off, and they keep this one! The one who doesn't even like his job and uses foul language around anyone. I'm one of the quiet ones too, but I can't help but want to burst out one day and tell this guy to STFU!