Oscar Wilde: Bankers Artists Dinner

Meaning of Oscar Wilde Money Quote: saying artists and bankers may have complimentary dinner conversations . Oscar Wilde said:

 

 

“When bankers get together for dinner, they discuss Art. When artists get together for dinner, they discuss Money” — Oscar Wilde

In this quote, Oscar Wilde is commenting on the different interests and priorities of bankers versus artists when socializing. He suggests that bankers, in their social gatherings over dinner, tend to discuss and debate issues related to art and culture. In contrast, when artists get together for a meal, their conversations typically revolve around monetary matters.

Wilde seems to be implying that bankers are removed from the real artistic process and so discuss art theoretically, whereas artists are more grounded in the practical financial challenges of working in their field and therefore focus on how to make a living from their craft. The quote highlights the different perspectives and preoccupations of these two professional groups

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900

Oscar Wilde: Permanent Income

Oscar Wilde Money Quote saying that having consistent income outweighs being fascinating. Oscar Wilde said:
 

 

“It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating” — Oscar Wilde

This quote from Oscar Wilde suggests that long-term financial security is preferable to short-term allure or charm. While being fascinating or captivating can attract attention, it does not provide ongoing stability in the way that a reliable source of income does.

The quote implies that having a steady stream of earnings, such as from investments or a pension, is ultimately more practical and ensures well-being over time compared to fleeting fascination. Wilde seems to be saying that true prosperity comes from dependable financial resources rather than superficial charisma alone.

The message is that prioritizing a stable means of support should take precedence over temporary popularity or appeal.

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900

Oscar Wilde: Taking or Begging

Oscar Wilde Money Quote saying if concerned about safety, it is better to beg. When appearances matter more, theft is preferred. Oscar Wilde said:
 

 

“As for begging, it is safer to beg than to take, but it is finer to take than to beg” — Oscar Wilde

This quote from Oscar Wilde suggests that while begging carries more risk than taking what one needs without permission, taking is a nobler act than begging. Wilde seems to be implying that begging for charity involves a loss of dignity and independence, putting one at the mercy of others’ generosity.

In contrast, taking implies self-reliance and asserting one’s own needs rather than pleading for the aid of others. The quote conveys the perspective that when in difficult circumstances requiring survival or sustenance, it is preferable from an integrity standpoint to provide for oneself through direct action rather than humble supplication.

Overall, Wilde presents the view that self-provisioning carries more honor than begging, even if it may bring greater danger in the eyes of the law or authorities.

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900

Oscar Wilde: Price, Not Value

Oscar Wilde Money Quote saying to know how much one must pay is not understanding how much things are worth. Oscar Wilde said:
 

 

“A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing” — Oscar Wilde

In this quote, Oscar Wilde is describing a cynic as someone who can discern the monetary cost or “price” of things very accurately, but has no understanding or appreciation of their true worth or “value” on a deeper level.

Wilde suggests cynics are too focused on surface attributes like financial aspects, and fail to recognize qualities like beauty, meaning, usefulness or importance that give things intrinsic value beyond mere price tags. His message conveys that true wisdom involves seeing beyond monetary evaluations to appreciate the value people or ideas hold for society, culture, and humanity.

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900

Oscar Wilde: Charge Too Much

Oscar Wilde Money Quote saying the only thing a salesman knows about his wares is that they aren’t worth what he sells them for. Oscar Wilde said:
 

“The salesman knows nothing of what he is selling save that he is charging a great deal too much for it” — Oscar Wilde

This Oscar Wilde quote suggests that salespeople often do not have true expertise or understanding of the products or services they are selling. Wilde implies that many salesmen are primarily focused on extracting the highest possible price from customers rather than having in-depth knowledge about what they are pitching.

The quote conveys the view that for salespeople, the priority is more on profiting as much as possible from a transaction rather than being well-informed about the actual value, features or suitability of what they are selling. Overall, it presents a skeptical perspective that for many in sales, their main qualification is an ability to overcharge rather than a command of the merchandise itself.

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900

Oscar Wilde: Gold Merchants Silver

Oscar Wilde Money Quote saying religious figures value the soul at an infinitely higher rate than do business people. Oscar Wilde said:
 

 

“How strange a thing this is! The Priest telleth me that the soul is worth all the gold in the world, and the merchants say that it is not worth a clipped piece of silver” — Oscar Wilde

This Oscar Wilde quote reflects on the differing views of the soul’s value between religious figures and businessmen. The “Priest” sees the soul as infinitely precious, worth more than all the gold on earth. In contrast, the “merchants” view the soul in purely monetary terms, seeing it as worthless compared to even a small coin.

Wilde seems to be highlighting the irony that while priests preach the soul’s immeasurable worth, merchants consider it a commodity with little financial significance. The quote presents a critique of a profit-driven mindset that reduces human worth and spirituality to cold economic calculations rather than profound spiritual significance.

It conveys Wilde’s perspective that religious and commercial views of human value are often diametrically opposed.

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900

Oscar Wilde: Most Important Thing

Oscar Wilde Money Quote saying ask a young person money seems incredibly important, but in old age becomes essential. Oscar Wilde said:
 

 

“When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old, I know that it is” — Oscar Wilde

This Oscar Wilde quote suggests that perspectives on what matters most in life can change as one ages and gains experience. When Wilde was younger, he felt that accumulating wealth and material goods was the top priority. However, having lived longer, he came to understand that financial security, while important, is not as significant as other factors like health, relationships, personal fulfillment or legacy.

The quote implies that youth can be overly focused on monetary achievement, but with age comes wisdom recognizing money’s limitations compared to less tangible life priorities. Overall, it conveys Wilde’s view that true understanding of life’s true valuables emerges from living long enough to see money for what it is – a means rather than an end in itself.

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900

Oscar Wilde: Insulting Thrifty Poor

Oscar Wilde Money Quote saying don’t insult those in poverty by suggesting frugality might help them. It is obscene to recommend economy to the destitute. Oscar Wilde said:
 

 

“To recommend thrift to the poor is both grotesque and insulting. It is like advising a man who is starving to eat less” — Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde is saying that it is nonsensical and insensitive to advise poor people to be thrifty with their limited resources.

For someone who is starving and does not have enough to eat, telling them to eat less is absurd and will not solve their problem. Similarly, telling poor people to save money ignores their reality of not having enough income to meet basic needs like food and shelter.

The quote criticizes giving financial advice to the poor without understanding their difficult circumstances of lacking sufficient means of subsistence.

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900