Of all the intriguing things that Oscar Wilde said this is the one thing that I find the the most interesting and if only because I can't deside if it is right as while I feel that I do not fully know my self but as I am only 16 this might just be down to a lack of experience in being me. What do you think (aside from why a 16 year old is posting this) is the statement true?
"Only the shallow know themselves." What do you think?
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My instant reaction is "define 'know'". Damn cynicism. But sure, it's probably true, but not fully knowing gives you more mystery about yourself, more fun.
If someone could explain what Oscar Wilde was trying to say I'd be grateful, cuz I have no fucking clue
An Oscar Wilde quote to start a discussion? I approve. He's one of my favorite authors.
(Also, welcome to the Escapist, OP.)
On topic, though, I would say that I agree with Mr. Wilde. I have a good understand of myself, but I admit that I could never fully define myself. It'd make things boring. If someone could sit back and take stock of all the decisions they could possibly make, and all the personality quirks and loves that make them them, then that person would indeed be rather shallow. At least in my opinion.
(Also, welcome to the Escapist, OP.)
On topic, though, I would say that I agree with Mr. Wilde. I have a good understand of myself, but I admit that I could never fully define myself. It'd make things boring. If someone could sit back and take stock of all the decisions they could possibly make, and all the personality quirks and loves that make them them, then that person would indeed be rather shallow. At least in my opinion.
Yes, I agree.
I am an incredibly shallow person. I often only gather with "pretty" people or people with a lot of money, and I am not ashamed of accepting it. I also gather a lot with geeks because they are really fun, and I like gaming so yeah.
But yes, I have a fairly big base of information when it comes to myself. And I can consider that I truly know myself.
Yes, I am incredibly egocentric and narcissistic, and I often get called on it. But my answer is usually: "So what?" I don't care, I couldn't give less of a shit. I really love the way I am, and I mean that.
So why change?
I am an incredibly shallow person. I often only gather with "pretty" people or people with a lot of money, and I am not ashamed of accepting it. I also gather a lot with geeks because they are really fun, and I like gaming so yeah.
But yes, I have a fairly big base of information when it comes to myself. And I can consider that I truly know myself.
Yes, I am incredibly egocentric and narcissistic, and I often get called on it. But my answer is usually: "So what?" I don't care, I couldn't give less of a shit. I really love the way I am, and I mean that.
So why change?
Do not agree in the least. I honestly believe that the shallow only know themselves because there is so little to contemplate, reflect on, and therefore to know about themselves. That is not to say that they are incapable of understanding themselves, rather that it is so much easier for them that it is hardly even a compliment, more a statement of fact.
On a side note, I'm not a huge fan of quotes. Some are thought provoking, some elicit a chuckle, but it seems that too many are matter-of-fact statements that many others will accept as fact, or at least truthful in some way, simply because a person of general importance was the one who said it.
On a side note, I'm not a huge fan of quotes. Some are thought provoking, some elicit a chuckle, but it seems that too many are matter-of-fact statements that many others will accept as fact, or at least truthful in some way, simply because a person of general importance was the one who said it.
It sounds like you completely agree.Turtleboy1017 said:
As to your side note. I love quotes. I can never recall them correctly, which is a shame, but one of my favourite teachers use to have a quote of the day, I use to visit the class on days that I wasn't in his class just to see the quote.
That is what I think in general but on the most part I refuse to beleve that people are simle enough to be simply known and to assume otherwise is an insult to us all.LiberalSquirrel said:
I think it's true.
Just when you think you know yourself something comes along and you do something or think something that you didn't realize you were capable of. And then there are some things that you don't know how you'd react to if they ever happened to you, you can only speculate. I sure as hell don't know myself very well at times, but I do have a very good understanding on who I am and what I can do. But that's when I'm just assuming things, and sometimes I can be very wrong on those.
It's one thing to say what someone, or myself for that matter, is going to do when some situation comes along, and it's quite another when it actually happens and to realize the actual response.
Just my two cents on the whole thing, if it even makes any lick of sense.
Just when you think you know yourself something comes along and you do something or think something that you didn't realize you were capable of. And then there are some things that you don't know how you'd react to if they ever happened to you, you can only speculate. I sure as hell don't know myself very well at times, but I do have a very good understanding on who I am and what I can do. But that's when I'm just assuming things, and sometimes I can be very wrong on those.
It's one thing to say what someone, or myself for that matter, is going to do when some situation comes along, and it's quite another when it actually happens and to realize the actual response.
Just my two cents on the whole thing, if it even makes any lick of sense.
I'm afraid I don't know much about Oscar Wilde, but if I'm taking that quote in the correct context than I understand where he's coming from, but in the wider scope of things I respectfully disagree. It is very much a possibility for someone to spend too much time on themselves, understanding their own needs and desires; while that can produce a shallow personality, it only does so if the person in question wishes or allows it to.
I have been trying to understand my mind, who I am and my place in the world since I truly became aware of my existence in the scope of things. While placing boundaries on yourself based on your assumed capabilities is a path to disaster, knowing yourself can bring contentment in the oddest of ways.
The foremost example in my mind is trust. Thus far I know so little about myself, but I trust myself to make choices for the benefit of others and for my own sake. An example would be when I plan to go out for the day; I have a dreadful memory, so attempting to find my keys may seem like a futile activity. As it stands however, I know myself enough to realize that the first place I look will often be the correct one, simply because my mind was in a similar state the night before when I set the keys down. It is akin to going on trips - when I've arrived at my destination I will think I've forgotten to pack something, only to find it is already in my bag because the week before I knew I would forget to pack it last minute, and so packed it then to prevent trouble for myself later.
It is... difficult to explain without perhaps sounding foolish, but as it stands I've been managing to overcome my memory problems by trusting myself, and that my past self is working for the benefit of my future self.
And in the words of Richard Kirsten Daiensai,
"The first step in understanding is the realization that you know nothing".
I have been trying to understand my mind, who I am and my place in the world since I truly became aware of my existence in the scope of things. While placing boundaries on yourself based on your assumed capabilities is a path to disaster, knowing yourself can bring contentment in the oddest of ways.
The foremost example in my mind is trust. Thus far I know so little about myself, but I trust myself to make choices for the benefit of others and for my own sake. An example would be when I plan to go out for the day; I have a dreadful memory, so attempting to find my keys may seem like a futile activity. As it stands however, I know myself enough to realize that the first place I look will often be the correct one, simply because my mind was in a similar state the night before when I set the keys down. It is akin to going on trips - when I've arrived at my destination I will think I've forgotten to pack something, only to find it is already in my bag because the week before I knew I would forget to pack it last minute, and so packed it then to prevent trouble for myself later.
It is... difficult to explain without perhaps sounding foolish, but as it stands I've been managing to overcome my memory problems by trusting myself, and that my past self is working for the benefit of my future self.
And in the words of Richard Kirsten Daiensai,
"The first step in understanding is the realization that you know nothing".
Knowing your self is something you have to come to on your own, and something you never stop learning about. You aren't a static creature and every day something small about you changes. It takes maturity, realization and acceptance of the reality of your faults and your strengths, and it isn't something you can get a road map from someone else about. You can know yourself and be a deep and complex person, but complexity is also partnered to simplicity, because when you understand your fears and your needs and what you want, and what you can do, solving problems becomes much less daunting, and you can be flexible about how you're going to achieve your goals and enjoy your life. Knowing yourself is obviously something you can only understand yourself, and most of what others can tell you about it is just vague and pretty words, because it isn't a concrete concept. It's difficult, but possible.
...Whoops your right. I do agree with the quote, I guess I kind of disagree with the way others may (or may not) perceive it.StBishop said:
Sun Tzu stressed knowing ones self AND one's enemy, so I don't buy it. Knowing yourself is the only way to acheive happiness both as an individual and as a community. If you don't know your Pros AND Cons then you can never overcome them.
I regularly admit to my immense vanity and self-importance. I am shallow, but not many shallow people would admit to being so...
I disagree with the statement. Only those that know they are shallow would know themselves. But then would that make them not shallow because they can do more than be shallow?
So perhaps the statement is correct.
Damn. I don't know what to think on this.
I disagree with the statement. Only those that know they are shallow would know themselves. But then would that make them not shallow because they can do more than be shallow?
So perhaps the statement is correct.
Damn. I don't know what to think on this.
It is completely true and do you know why, there is no such thing as a shallow person. its a myth. People are such enormously complicated beings with so many conflicting motives, beliefs, ideas, opinions, desires, needs, and social interactions that to say anyone is shallow is insane. Which I think is what Wilde is saying, that no one truly knows themselves because only a caricature of a person could.
I'd think Socrates quote about him being called the wisest would be more aptrhodriharris said:
"If I am the wisest man on earth, it is because know that I know nothing"
Despite what anyone thinks about themselves, there will always be a part of us that we are not aware of. Because we are to the last man, woman and child, incredibly complex beings, products of the infinitely elaborate place we call the universe.