“ The clever people never listen, and the stupid people never talk. ”
Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance (1893). copy citation
| Author | Oscar Wilde |
|---|---|
| Source | A Woman of No Importance |
| Topic | listening |
| Date | 1893 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/854/854-h/854-h.htm |
Context
“You enjoy country life, Miss Worsley?
Hester. Very much indeed.
Mrs. Allonby. Don’t find yourself longing for a London dinner-party?
Hester. I dislike London dinner-parties.
Mrs. Allonby. I adore them. The clever people never listen, and the stupid people never talk.
Hester. I think the stupid people talk a great deal.
Mrs. Allonby. Ah, I never listen!
Lord Illingworth. My dear boy, if I didn’t like you I wouldn’t have made you the offer. It is because I like you so much that I want to have you with me.”
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