Who said “The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything; the young know everything.”?

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

SourcePhrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young (1894)

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“The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything; the young know everything.”
— Oscar Wilde
VerifiedPhrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young (1894) · evidenceBelief

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For academic work, cite the original where you can: Phrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young (1894).

APA

Wilde, O. (n.d.). The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything; the young know everything. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3724-the-old-believe-everything-the-middle-aged-suspect/

MLA

Wilde, Oscar. “The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything; the young know everything.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3724-the-old-believe-everything-the-middle-aged-suspect/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Wilde, Oscar. “The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything; the young know everything.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3724-the-old-believe-everything-the-middle-aged-suspect/.

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