“Man can believe the impossible, but man can never believe the improbable.”
- 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
“Man can believe the impossible, but man can never believe the improbable.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde explores the paradox of human belief and perception. He suggests that while people can often accept things that seem impossible—things that defy reason or logic—improbable events or outcomes, which might seem unlikely but still within the realm of possibility, are often harder to believe. The difference lies in how the mind processes the impossible versus the improbable. The impossible is so far beyond reality that it often forces a person to redefine their understanding of the world and stretch their imagination to accommodate it, while the improbable is seen as something that, although possible, seems too distant or unbelievable to be true.
Wilde’s statement reflects his ironic and playful view of human nature and our capacity to accept things that are outside the realm of possibility yet uncomfortable when they seem merely unlikely. This irony highlights our tendency to accept grand, fantastical ideas—like miracles, the supernatural, or extraordinary occurrences—while resisting more subtle or realistic possibilities that don’t fit with our understanding of probability.
In modern contexts, this quote could be interpreted as a reflection on human psychology and how we approach belief in different scenarios. It suggests that people are more willing to embrace the extraordinary and the bizarre when it is framed as something that transcends normal understanding (the impossible), but have more trouble accepting the unlikely because it challenges the routine and practical expectations we have of life. Wilde’s words encourage us to reflect on how our biases influence what we choose to believe and how we deal with the unexpected.
