Cynic Quote by Oscar Wilde
“Selfishness is not living as one wisheThe cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. s to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895
He critiques selfishness, noting that a cynic values everything but sees no true worth, urging empathy over self‑interest.
In simple terms: Selfishness ignores others' value; cynics see price but not worth.
Key Takeaway
Choose empathy over self‑interest.
Themes
selfishness
empathy
cynicism
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
inspirational
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- business negotiations
- community building
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
human value
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true value mean to you?
- How can you balance self‑care with caring for others?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may overlook practical constraints.
![“[in the]..curious way that my idealism has been mixed with my fatalism, so that I can possess the soul of a dreamer and that of a cynic at the same time…I possess a power of magic...[to] destroy the balance of a well-designed destiny with my diabolical mind…” quote by Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f08/anais-nin-288_balance_in-the-curious-way-that-my-idealism-has_127099.jpg)
