Who said “Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation.”?

Verified

Oscar Wilde. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceA Woman of No Importance (1893), Act II

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: A Woman of No Importance (1893), Act II.

APA

Wilde, O. (n.d.). Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3042-discontent-is-the-first-step-in-the-progress/

MLA

Wilde, Oscar. “Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3042-discontent-is-the-first-step-in-the-progress/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Wilde, Oscar. “Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3042-discontent-is-the-first-step-in-the-progress/.

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