Kelvil: May I ask, Lord Illingworth, if you regard the House of Lords as a better institution than the House of Commons? Lord Illingworth: A much better institution of course. We in the House of Lords are never in touch with public opinion. That makes us a civilised body.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The House of Lords claims superiority because it is detached from public opinion, calling itself civilized.
- In plain terms
- The Lords say they’re better because they ignore public opinion, calling that civilized.
- What can you take from it?
- Beware of elitist claims that ignore popular voice.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is isolation truly civilized?
- How does public opinion improve governance?
Another view
Detachment can lead to unaccountability.
More from Oscar Wilde
The English country gentleman galloping after a fox-the unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable.
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