“There is only one class in the community that thinks more about money than the rich, and that is the poor. The poor can think of nothing else.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
Quote
“There is only one class in the community that thinks more about money than the rich, and that is the poor. The poor can think of nothing else.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde explores the idea that the obsession with money transcends social class. While the rich are often associated with wealth and luxury, Wilde suggests that they are not the only ones preoccupied with money. In fact, he argues that the poor think about it even more, because money is often the primary concern in their lives, where every decision or worry is centered around obtaining or surviving with money. For the poor, money represents not just comfort or status, but the means of survival, making it their constant focus.
Wilde’s comment also critiques the way society constructs class divisions. The rich are not necessarily more focused on money out of necessity, but out of habit, luxury, or status. Meanwhile, the poor are driven by desperation and the need to secure basic needs. Wilde’s words draw attention to the irony that, in a society focused on wealth, the obsession with money can be even more consuming for those who lack it.
In modern contexts, this quote highlights the social dynamics around money and class. It reflects on how economic disparities create vastly different relationships with wealth, where the rich view it as a tool for pleasure or power, while the poor often see it as a necessity for survival. Wilde’s words remind us of the psychological and emotional burden that poverty can bring, where thoughts of money are invasive and all-consuming, shaping people’s lives and choices in profound ways.
