--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He was gifted with the sly, sharp…" description: "\"He was gifted with the sly, sharp instinct for self-preservation that passes for wisdom among the rich.\" — Evelyn Waugh" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/evelyn-waugh-850_gifted_he-was-gifted-with-the-sly-sharp-instinc_1838967.png" --- # He was gifted with the sly, sharp instinct for… ![“He was gifted with the sly, sharp instinct for self-preservation that passes for wisdom among the rich.” quote by Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/evelyn-waugh-850_gifted_he-was-gifted-with-the-sly-sharp-instinc_1838967.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/evelyn-waugh-850_gifted_he-was-gifted-with-the-sly-sharp-instinc_1838967.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/evelyn-waugh-850_gifted_he-was-gifted-with-the-sly-sharp-instinc_1838967.png) > “He was gifted with the sly, sharp instinct for self-preservation that passes for wisdom among the rich.” [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Clever self‑preservation can be mistaken for wisdom, especially among the affluent. **In simple terms:** Cunning survival appears wise to the rich. Key Takeaway Beware superficial wisdom. Themes society wealth wisdom survival Mood cynical observational Type literary satirical When to use this quote - business negotiations - political strategy - personal relationships - career advancement Key Concepts psychology social perception status Questions to Reflect On - Is self‑preservation always virtuous? - When does cunning become harmful? A Different Perspective Such instincts may erode genuine integrity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gifted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gifted/) [Gifted Sly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gifted-sly-2334090/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Passes Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passes-wisdom-2334091/) [Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rich/) [Self preservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-preservation/) [Sharp Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharp-instinct-2334092/) [Sly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sly/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wisdom Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom-rich-879487/) ## Related quotes > [Learning passes for wisdom among those who want both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-temple/learning-passes-for-wisdom-among-those-who-want-both/) [William Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-temple/) > [When humanity measures wealth by love, truth and wisdom we will all be rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-d-williams/when-humanity-measures-wealth-by-love-truth-and-wisdom-we-will-all-be/) [Anthony D. 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They're all sodomites with unpleasant accents." --Cousin Jasper”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/beware-the-anglo-catholics-they-re-all-sodomites-with-unpleasant/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [“The fortnight at Venice passed quickly and sweetly-- perhaps too sweetly; I was drowning in honey, stingless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/the-fortnight-at-venice-passed-quickly-and-sweetly-perhaps-too/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [“It’s awful to think that I shall probably never, as long as I live, see you dancing like that again all by yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/it-s-awful-to-think-that-i-shall-probably-never-as-long-as-i-live-see/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [I've always been bad. Probably I shall be bad again, punished again. But the worse I am, the more I need God. 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