Common sense Quote by Oscar Wilde
““Common sense, indeed!” said the Rocket indignantly; “you forget that I am very uncommon, and very remarkable. Why, anybody can have common sense, provided that they have no imagination. But I have imagination, for I never think of things as they really are; I always think of them as being quite different. As for keeping myself dry, there is evidently no one here who can at all appreciate an emotional nature. Fortunately for myself, I don’t care. The only thing that sustains one through life is the consciousness of the immense inferiority of everybody else, and this is a feeling that I have always cultivated.””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895
Imagination fuels a unique worldview that separates one from ordinary perception, fostering a sense of superiority as a coping mechanism.
In simple terms: Imagination creates a distinct view and a feeling of being above others.
Key Takeaway
Embrace imagination, but stay grounded.
Themes
individualism
imagination
superiority
self‑perception
Mood
reflective
critical
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- creative work
- social interactions
- personal growth
- leadership
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
ego
social comparison
Questions to Reflect On
- How does imagination shape your reality?
- When does feeling superior hinder you?
A Different Perspective
Relying on feeling inferior can damage relationships and self‑esteem.
