Cecil Graham: What is a cynic? Lord Darlington: A man who…
““Cecil Graham: What is a cynic? Lord Darlington: A man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing. Cecil Graham: And a sentimentalist, my dear Darlington, is a man who sees an absurd value in everything and doesn’t know the market price of any single thing.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A cynic sees only cost, not worth; a sentimentalist sees worth everywhere, missing true value.
In simple terms: Cynics focus on price, sentimentalists on meaning.
Key Takeaway
Balance insight and feeling.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
values
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
aphilosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- business decisions
- art criticism
Key Concepts
cynicism
sentimentality
valuation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you value things beyond price?
- When does sentiment hinder practicality?
A Different Perspective
A purely cynical view can ignore deeper significance.