Think Vain Quote by Oscar Wilde
““I make a great difference between people. I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects. A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies. I have not got one who is a fool. They are all men of some intellectual power, and consequently they all appreciate me. Is that very vain of me? I think it is rather vain.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Lady Windermere's Fan, 1892
He distinguishes friends, acquaintances, and enemies by their attributes, valuing intellect even in adversaries, and reflects on vanity in such selective relationships.
In simple terms: He picks friends for looks, acquaintances for character, enemies for intellect, and wonders if that's vain.
Key Takeaway
Recognize value in diverse relationships but avoid excessive vanity.
Themes
relationships
vanity
intellect
selection
social dynamics
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- networking
- career mentorship
- political negotiation
- personal growth
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
self-awareness
ego
strategic alliances
Questions to Reflect On
- Do I value people for superficial traits?
- How does this affect my humility?
A Different Perspective
Focusing solely on intellect in enemies can breed arrogance and alienation.
![“[He] didn’t like to think of himself as vain, but there were definitely times when he wished there was someone on hand to take his photograph.” quote by David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e1c/david-nicholls-873_hands_he-didn-t-like-to-think-of-himself-as-va_936471.jpg)
