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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wilde declares that the only true sin is stupidity.
In plain terms
Stupidity is the only sin.
What can you take from it?
Value intelligence over moral judgments.

Where it applies

  • education
  • political debate
  • personal development

Putting it to work

  • cultivate critical thinking
  • avoid reckless decisions

Questions to consider

  • Is stupidity truly the worst vice?
  • How do societies define sin?

Another view

Many consider other actions, like cruelty, as sinful.

More from Oscar Wilde

  1. As long as war is regarded as wicked, it will always have its fascination. When it is looked upon as vulgar, it will cease to be popular.

    Permalink to quote #40
  2. To be good, according to the vulgar standard of goodness, is obviously quite easy. It merely requires a certain amount of sordid terror, a certain lack of imag…

    Permalink to quote #42
  3. It is through art, and through art only, that we can realize our perfection; through art and art only that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of ac…

    Permalink to quote #39

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