Table of Contents
I find great delight in the sharp wit of Oscar Wilde, a towering figure in the world of literature during the late 19th century. With his flair for drama and command of the English language, Wilde mastered the art of crafting quotes that continue to entertain and enlighten. His unique charm and ability to express complex ideas with humor and elegance make his quotes timeless treasures.
Wilde was particularly celebrated during the Aestheticism movement, which emphasized beauty for beauty’s sake. His works, like The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray, reflect his passion for art and words.
Through his life and work, he showed that life itself could be approached as a form of art.
Quotes from Oscar Wilde: A Collection of Wisdom
Oscar Wilde is known for his sharp wit and brilliant observations about life. His quotes remain influential and intriguing, reflecting his unique perspective on human nature and society. Below is a curated list capturing the essence of Wilde’s wisdom.
Table of Quotes
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | “There’s only one thing worse than being talked about, and that’s not being talked about.” |
| 2 | “Morality is just the attitude we take toward people we don’t like.” |
| 3 | “He has no enemies, but his friends don’t like him much.” |
| 4 | “The world is a stage, and the play is usually poorly cast.” |
| 5 | “Some make people happy when they arrive, others when they leave.” |
| 6 | “In life, you either don’t get what you want, or you do.” |
| 7 | “We might be in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” |
| 8 | “Success is a science—you create the right conditions, and the results follow.” |
| 9 | “Saints have a past, and sinners can still have a future.” |
| 10 | “Consistency is the refuge of the unimaginative.” |
Reflections on Society and Self
- “No amount of money can buy back your past.”
- “Journalism reflects the ignorance of the uneducated to keep us informed.”
- “Children begin by loving their parents. They eventually judge them and often can’t forgive them.”
- “Art is the peak of individualism known to humanity.”
- “Men want to be first; women wish to be last in love.”
- “I’d wait for you forever if you’re not too long.”
- “Keep love in your heart; without it, life is like a garden with dead flowers.”
- “A great man has no enemies, but none of his friends like him.”
- “Life copies art more than art copies life.”
- “Between a man and a woman, passion exists, but not friendship.”
Thoughts on Experience and Education
- “Mistakes are simply called experience.”
- “It’s silly to sort people as good or bad; they are either charming or boring.”
- “A true friend is one who stabs you in the front.”
- “Ambition is where the failures take refuge.”
- “Education is admirable, but some things worth knowing can’t be taught.”
- “Women are to be loved, not understood.”
- “We reach perfection only through art.”
- “Being beautiful is better than being good, but better to be good than ugly.”
- “Thinking for oneself is crucial; otherwise, you don’t think at all.”
- “Loving oneself is the start of a lifelong romance.”
Opinions on Life and Human Nature
- “Patriotism belongs to the vicious.”
- “Life’s fairness brings advantage to most.”
- “Work is the curse of leisure classes.”
- “Popular things often aren’t right.”
- “My tastes are simple—I’m satisfied with the best.”
- “Forgive your enemies; it annoys them greatly.”
- “Prayers answered, yet bring punishment from gods.”
- “Pass on good advice; it’s never useful to oneself.”
- “Experience is costly.”
- “Life’s importance makes it unfit for serious talk.”
Insights on Relationships and Identity
- “Youth taught me money was life’s key. Age showed me it wasn’t.”
- “Every woman becomes her mother. Every man doesn’t. That’s the sadness.”
- “A man can enjoy life with any woman, as long as he doesn’t love her.”
- “Masking oneself leads to truth.”
- “It’s best to be in love. Marriage isn’t necessary.”
- “Losing one parent feels unfortunate. Losing both seems careless.”
- “Most people reflect others’ thoughts and emotions, living as imitations.”
- “A dreamer is led by the moonlight and sees dawn before others.”
- “Waiting for the unexpected shows intelligence.”
- “Temptation is best handled by yielding to it. Resisting it feels impossible.”
In these quotes, I find Wilde’s ability to poke fun at life while offering serious reflections captivating. Each of these lines holds a mirror to society, urging us to question our actions and thoughts. Through Wilde’s clever words, I am reminded of the complexities and ironic humor of life.