Clever Quote by Oscar Wilde
““I am sick to death of cleverness. Everybody is clever nowadays. You can’t go anywhere without meeting clever people. The thing has become an absolute public nuisance. I wish to goodness we had a few fools left.””
About This Quote
Source Play: An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde, 1895
Cleverness has become pervasive and irritating; the speaker wishes for more simplicity and genuine foolishness.
In simple terms: Too much cleverness feels fake; we need honest simplicity.
Key Takeaway
Value sincerity over constant cleverness.
Themes
authenticity
simplicity
social critique
Mood
wry
critical
Type
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- social gatherings
- online discourse
- professional meetings
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
cultural criticism
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- When does wit become harmful?
- Can simplicity coexist with intelligence?
A Different Perspective
Cleverness can also be useful and protective.
![“There was another reason [she] took her books whenever they went away. They were her home when she was somewhere strange. They were familiar voices, friends that never quarreled with her, clever, powerful friends -- daring and knowledgeable, tried and tested adventurers who had traveled far and…” quote by Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/639/cornelia-funke-908_adventurer_there-was-another-reason-she-took-her-bo_3074.jpg)
