"The well bred contradict other people. The wise contradict themselves"
- Oscar Wilde
About this Quote
This quote by Oscar Wilde suggests that those that are genteel as well as polite will certainly disagree with others, while those who are sensible will differ with themselves. This suggests that those that are sensible are able to recognize their own blunders and imperfections, and are willing to confess when they are incorrect. This suggests true intelligence, as it needs a specific degree of self-awareness and also humility. On the various other hand, those who are well-mannered might be more likely to differ with others in order to maintain their very own feeling of superiority. This could be seen as an indication of conceit, as it indicates that they believe their own opinion is more valid than that of others. Ultimately, this quote suggests that knowledge is better than politeness, as it needs a higher degree of self-reflection as well as understanding.