Original artwork, not a still
Phrases and Philosophies for the use of the Young ‧ 1894
The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, the young know everything.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The line sorts three stages of life by attitude. Age accepts every claim, midlife doubts them all, and youth is certain it already has the answers. Wilde's neat symmetry mocks each group gently: credulity, cynicism and overconfidence each get a turn, with no stage escaping.
Context reviewed
