About this quote

People often focus on numbers because they feel safe and measurable. That habit can make you choose what looks cheap now but costs you trust, time, or quality later. Notice the moments when price becomes the only metric you use — it tells you more about your habits than about the thing. If you want different results, list the real outcomes you care about before you decide.

When to use it

• At a vendor review meeting where the team keeps pushing the lowest bid, I quoted Wilde and asked who would pay for the missed deadlines later.
• When a friend wanted the cheapest running shoes that kept falling apart, I reminded them of the line and suggested trying my older, sturdier pair first.
• Choosing a nanny: I said the quote after my sibling argued for the cheapest option and then made them visit and ask about turnover and references.
• During a grading-policy debate in class, one student used Wilde's line to argue against judging learning only by test scores.