Oscar Wilde Quotes

Art should never try to be popular. The public sho... -Oscar Wilde

Art should never try to be popular. The public should try to make itself artistic.

The only thing to do with good advice is to pass i... -Oscar Wilde

The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.

Biography lends to death a new terror.

Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing... -Oscar Wilde

Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.

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This quote acknowledges the inherent unfairness or unpredictability of life's circumstances. It suggests that the absence of perfect fairness in life may actually be beneficial for most people, as it allows for growth, adaptability, and the pursuit of improvement or change.

Success is a science; if you have the conditions, ... -Oscar Wilde

Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result.

One should always be in love. That is the reason o... -Oscar Wilde

One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry.

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

I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied ... -Oscar Wilde

I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.

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This quote humorously suggests that one appreciates and seeks the finest things in life without being extravagant. It implies that having refined tastes can lead to contentment and satisfaction with high-quality experiences. It reflects on the value of simplicity and discernment.

There is nothing in the world like the devotion of a married woman. It is a thing no married man knows anything about.

He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by hi... -Oscar Wilde

He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that... -Oscar Wilde

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.

No woman should ever be quite accurate about her a... -Oscar Wilde

No woman should ever be quite accurate about her age. It looks so calculating.

Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.

Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.

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This quote presents a negative view of patriotism, portraying it as a virtue that is associated with individuals who are cruel, brutal, or morally corrupt. It suggests that patriotism can be used to justify harmful actions.

Life is far too important a thing ever to talk ser... -Oscar Wilde

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

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.

The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives ev... -Oscar Wilde

The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.

The truth is rarely pure and never simple.

One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation.

This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last.

Discovering the context

The quote humorously expresses a contradictory sentiment, suggesting that although suspense can be agonizing, the speaker still hopes for its continuation. It reflects a playful attitude toward anticipation and suggests that suspense can be thrilling or enjoyable in some way.

There is only one class in the community that thinks more about money than the rich, and that is the poor. The poor can think of nothing else.

When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is.

No better way is there to learn to love Nature than to understand Art. It dignifies every flower of the field. And, the boy who sees the thing of beauty which a bird on the wing becomes when transferred to wood or canvas will probably not throw the customary stone.