The Oscar Wilde Quote You Need to Hear, Based On Your Enneagram Type

I have a love-hate relationship with Oscar Wilde. On one hand, his wit is so sharp it makes me want to high-five him through time. On the other hand, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read one of his quotes and thought, Oh no. That’s me. He’s calling me out.

If you’ve ever had that experience—the sudden realization that a dead Irish playwright understands your deepest struggles better than your closest friends—congratulations! You’re human, and you might also be slightly uncomfortable right now.

That’s where the Enneagram comes in.

Each of us, in our flawed and predictable ways, has certain struggles and strengths that Wilde somehow pinpointed in his different quotes. So in today’s article we’ll look at two Oscar Wilde quotes for each type, plus a little insight into why they might just hit you in the soul.

(And if they don’t? Well, as Wilde himself said, “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”)

Not sure what your personality type is? Take our Enneagram questionnaire here!

Type 1 – The Reformer (a.k.a. The Moral Compass Who Could Use a Nap)

You have rules, and you follow them. Others… do not. This is, frankly, infuriating. But despite your deep desire to fix the world with the sheer force of your righteousness, you often forget that perfection is a flaming illusion. Which is why these two quotes exist:

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

Here’s the thing: you spend so much time optimizing life that you sometimes forget to live it. If you’re always busy improving everything, when do you actually enjoy the ride? (Answer: never. That’s what we’re fixing here.)

“Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.”

Look, nobody is perfect. Not even you. (I know. Deep breaths.) The good news is, that means you’re allowed to loosen up. You don’t have to be a beacon of moral authority 24/7. Let people be messy. Let yourself be messy. Nobody is handing out gold stars for flawless execution of life. And if they are, they haven’t handed out a single one yet.

Type 2 – The Helper (a.k.a. The Human Golden Retriever Who Wants to Be Loved So Badly It Hurts)

Your love language is everything, all at once, forever. You give, and you give, and you give, and then you wonder why no one else is carrying snacks for you. So, let’s fix that:

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”

You already know this, because you live it. But sometimes you get caught up in proving your worth through grand, sweeping gestures that leave you exhausted and wondering why no one is building a shrine in your honor. This quote is your permission slip to stop trying so hard—tiny kindnesses matter more than emotional martyrdom. And include yourself in that kindness too; you also count as a person you should consider in your compassion.

“Never love anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary.”

Oh hey, this one’s for the people-pleasers in the back. You twist yourself into a thousand shapes to be needed, but you don’t have to settle for relationships where you’re just the emotional support friend. You deserve people who see you as rare and special—not just useful.

Type 3 – The Achiever (a.k.a. The Overachieving Existential Crisis in Human Form)

You? You’re crushing it. Or at least, that’s what you want everyone to think. The truth is, you often feel like you’re sprinting on a treadmill—moving at breakneck speed but never actually getting there. Which is why these quotes might sting a little:

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

I know. Cringe. But also? This is what you need to hear. You spend so much time curating your image that you sometimes forget that you—messy, unfiltered you—might actually be enough.

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

You get this one. Deep down, you know that real success isn’t just about status or metrics—it’s about vision. You don’t just want to win, you want to dream bigger. The trick is remembering that even when life is a flaming trash pile, you can still aim for something greater.

Type 4 – The Individualist (a.k.a. The Walking Existential Poem Who Feels Too Much and Loves It Anyway)

Let’s be honest—you don’t need me to explain Oscar Wilde to you. You’ve probably already read all his works while dramatically sighing in a candlelit room. But still, these quotes might just make you nod deeply:

“No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.”

FINALLY, someone gets you! You don’t just see the world—you feel it in your bones. And sure, that makes life a little (a lot) dramatic, but it also makes you you. And that’s worth celebrating.

“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”

Perfect. You are so ahead of your time, and nobody understands you until it’s too late. It’s both a blessing and a curse. But don’t let it get you down—your vision is a gift, even if you feel like an alien 90% of the time.

Type 5 – The Investigator (a.k.a. The Overthinking Hermit Who Just Wants to Be Left Alone to Read)

You collect information like a dragon hoards gold, but human interaction? Exhausting. You’d rather analyze emotions than feel them. From a detached perspective everything looks much neater and more controlled. So here are your Wilde-approved life lessons:

“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”

Admit it. This has happened to you. You start explaining something, realize you’re seven tangents deep, and suddenly question whether you even know what you’re talking about. It’s okay. Your brain is a complicated maze, and sometimes even you get lost.

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”

If there’s one thing you love, it’s complexity. Nothing is ever just what it seems, and you find comfort in the tangled web of knowledge. But don’t let the endless pursuit of truth keep you from actually living. Sometimes, simple joys are worth more than profound realizations.

Type 6 – The Loyalist (a.k.a. The Anxious Ride-Or-Die Who Just Wants to Feel Safe)

You run on equal parts trust issues and unflinching devotion. Your brain is basically a high-powered threat detection system, but you also just want to know someone has your back. These quotes will either reassure you or make you spiral further—let’s find out!

“To define is to limit.”

Your mind wants categories. It wants structure, clarity, and a neatly labeled box for everything. But, surprise! Life is a giant, unpredictable mess. And trying to force everything into a fixed definition? That’s how you get existential dread. Sometimes, embracing uncertainty is the safest thing you can do.

“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.”

You worry about getting things wrong. A lot. But mistakes? They’re just life’s overpriced tuition fees. You don’t have to be perfect to be safe. You just have to keep going, learning, and occasionally laughing at how much of a disaster everyone secretly is.

Type 7 – The Enthusiast (a.k.a. The Human Firework Who Is Both Exciting and Mildly Terrifying)

You treat life like an all-you-can-eat buffet, piling your plate with adventures and avoiding anything remotely depressing. But sometimes, in your quest to escape boredom, you accidentally outrun your own emotions. These Wilde quotes are here to both celebrate you and possibly challenge you.

“Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.”

This might explain your bank account. Or your tendency to commit to seventeen different projects at once. You love to push the limits, and your FOMO can sometimes drive you down exciting or, frankly, financially terrifying paths. (So, all Wilde things considered, maybe balance the whole ‘imagination’ thing with some boring detail-work along the way).

“An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.”

You don’t do safe. You love a bold idea, a wild plan, and the kind of thinking that makes other people nervous. And honestly? The world needs more of that. Just… maybe wear a seatbelt.

Type 8 – The Challenger (a.k.a. The Strong-Willed Protector Who Will Bulldoze Injustice (and Maybe You, Too))

You are fierce. People mistake you for aggressive, but really, you just have zero tolerance for nonsense. You fight for what matters, protect the people you love, and scare the living hell out of anyone who tries to control you. These quotes? They get you.

“You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit.”

Oh, people love to judge you. You’re “too much,” “too intense,” “too bossy.” But let’s be honest—half the time, they wish they had your guts. You don’t apologize for who you are, and you don’t waste time worrying about approval. Keep being the force of nature you are. But just take a pause now and then to make sure you’re thinking things through before lashing out.

“A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.”

You’re passionate, sure. But you’re not blind. You know better than to follow a cause just because it’s popular. Your strength lies in questioning authority, challenging assumptions, and refusing to be manipulated. Stay sharp, but don’t forget—sometimes vulnerability is a power move, too.

Type 9 – The Peacemaker (a.k.a. The Chill, Conflict-Avoiding Softie Who Just Wants Everyone to Get Along)

You are the human equivalent of a deep sigh. You crave harmony, avoid drama like it’s a contagious disease, and sometimes disappear into your own head just to escape having to take a stance. But don’t worry, Wilde’s got something for you too.

“Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.”

You, more than anyone, understand that people take themselves way too seriously. You see how ridiculous life is, and you just want everyone to relax. And you’re right—most problems are way less urgent than they seem. But don’t let that keep you from stepping up when it does matter.

“The very essence of romance is uncertainty.”

Oh no. Uncertainty. Your kryptonite. But here’s the thing—sometimes, letting go of control is the best way to find joy. Love, life, everything worth having comes with some level of unpredictability. Don’t fear it. Embrace it. Or at least, try to embrace it before running away to take a nap.

Final Thoughts (a.k.a. The Part Where I Pretend This Has a Proper Conclusion)

Oscar Wilde saw straight through people, which is why his words still cut deep. Whether you’re an intense 8, a dreamy 4, or a wildly over-prepared 6, there’s a Wilde quote lurking in the background of your personality, just waiting to call you out.

But what do you think? Do you like your quote? Disagree with it? Let me know in the comments!