"He was gifted with the sly, sharp instinct for self-preservation that passes for wisdom among the rich"
- Evelyn Waugh
About this Quote
In this quote, author Evelyn Waugh is describing a character who possesses a cunning and wise ability to safeguard themselves, which is typically seen as a form of intelligence amongst the wealthy. This recommends that the character is not always wise in the standard sense, but rather has a keen understanding of how to navigate and make it through in the upper class society. Making use of the word "sly" indicates a sense of deceit or adjustment, more highlighting the concept that this kind of self-preservation is not always an honorable characteristic. In general, the quote highlights the superficiality and cutthroat nature of the rich elite.
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