“If one plays good music, people don’t listen and if one plays bad music people don’t talk.”
- 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
“If one plays good music, people don’t listen and if one plays bad music people don’t talk.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde humorously critiques the public’s indifference to quality and the superficiality of society’s tastes. He suggests that when good music is played—music that is refined, meaningful, or artistic—it is often met with silence or lack of engagement because people either don’t appreciate its depth or are too distracted by other concerns to truly listen. On the other hand, bad music—which is perhaps simpler, trivial, or mainstream—is often talked about, not necessarily because it is valued, but because it is easily accessible and evokes a reaction.
Wilde’s statement highlights the irony that the best art is sometimes overlooked or ignored by the masses, while the lesser or more popular forms of culture tend to attract more attention and discussion, regardless of their actual quality. This reflects his critique of society’s superficiality, where genuine or high-quality art can be underappreciated, while shallow or trivial forms gain widespread recognition due to their appeal to the masses.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the disconnection between artistic merit and public reception in today’s media-driven society. It critiques how the public’s attention is often drawn to lesser forms of culture that require less effort to engage with, while truly meaningful art can be overlooked. Wilde’s words encourage us to reflect on our cultural consumption and challenge us to seek out and appreciate art that requires attention, rather than simply following popular trends.
