Who said “A pessimist is one who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.”?

Disputed

It's credited to Oscar Wilde, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for Oscar Wilde.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z

Cite this quote

APA

“A pessimist is one who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.” [Quotation attributed to Oscar Wilde]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/27924-a-pessimist-is-one-who-when-he-has/

MLA

“A pessimist is one who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.” Attributed to Oscar Wilde. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/27924-a-pessimist-is-one-who-when-he-has/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“A pessimist is one who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.” Attributed to Oscar Wilde. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/27924-a-pessimist-is-one-who-when-he-has/.

Related quotes

“You define a good flight by negatives: you didn't get hijacked, you didn't crash, you didn't throw up, you weren't late, you weren't nauseated by the food. So you're grateful.”
— Paul Theroux
VerifiedThe Old Patagonian Express (1979) · evidenceDetails & citePessimism
Report

More quotes by Oscar Wilde

All 417 Oscar Wilde quotes →