“What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
- 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
“What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde defines a cynic as someone who is overly focused on the material or superficial aspects of life, such as the price of things, but is completely blind to their deeper meaning or value. A cynic, in Wilde’s view, is so absorbed in the pragmatic or monetary dimensions of existence that they fail to appreciate the true worth or significance of things, whether it be relationships, art, or emotions. The cynic’s focus on cost and market value reflects a reductionist perspective that fails to capture the richness and complexity of life, which cannot be measured simply by price tags.
Wilde’s remark highlights the tension between the material and the ideal. A cynic is unable to grasp the intangible qualities that give life depth and meaning, such as love, beauty, or truth, instead reducing everything to what can be bought or sold. Wilde criticizes this narrow, shallow view of the world, suggesting that true understanding of life requires the ability to see beyond money and utility, and to recognize the inherent value of things that cannot be quantified.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the overemphasis on materialism and the commodification of everything in today’s society. Wilde’s words serve as a critique of a culture that often values things based on their monetary worth, rather than their true significance or intrinsic qualities. It encourages us to look beyond price tags and practicality to appreciate the non-material aspects of life that truly give it meaning.
