My experience is that as soon as people are old enough to know better, they don't know anything at all.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Older people often claim wisdom yet may know nothing.
- In plain terms
- Age doesn't guarantee knowledge.
- What can you take from it?
- Value experience but verify its substance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can we differentiate true wisdom from pretense?
- What role does humility play?
Another view
Some older individuals do possess deep insight.
More from Oscar Wilde
I am the only person in the world I should like to know thoroughly.
Permalink to quote #110 Between men and women there is no friendship possible. There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship.
Permalink to quote #112 Often quoted as: Life is far too important to be taken seriously.
Permalink to quote #109
Related quotes
Que sais-je?
Michel de MontaigneMichel de Montaigne quote #1 I'm not young enough to know everything.
J. M. BarrieJ. M. Barrie quote #3 It's looking like he's omniscient or a mind reader.
Russ FeingoldRuss Feingold quote #31