“Arguments are extremely vulgar, for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion.”
- 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
“Arguments are extremely vulgar, for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde critiques the conformity that he associates with high society or the social elite. He suggests that in “good society,” there is an unspoken expectation to agree and hold the same opinions, which makes arguments unnecessary or even vulgar. Wilde’s comment implies that true intellectual discourse or debate is stifled by the pressure to conform to shared norms or the desire to avoid disagreement. In societies where everyone thinks alike, arguments become redundant, because there is no real divergence of thought. Wilde sees this as an empty or shallow form of social interaction, where people avoid challenging or provoking each other with differing viewpoints in favor of maintaining an illusion of harmony or politeness.
Wilde often satirized the pretensions and superficiality of the social elite, and this quote reflects his belief that authentic conversation and critical thinking are undermined when there is an unspoken agreement to suppress individuality and contrary opinions in order to fit in. For Wilde, arguments are a natural and healthy part of intellectual exchange, and to avoid them out of a desire to maintain social decorum is both vulgar and intellectually limiting.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the dangers of groupthink and the pressure to conform within certain social circles. It encourages us to value divergent opinions, debate, and the exchange of ideas, recognizing that healthy disagreement fosters intellectual growth and prevents the stagnation that comes from simply agreeing for the sake of social harmony. Wilde’s words remind us that authenticity in thought is more valuable than avoiding uncomfortable discussions.
