Oscar Wilde Quotes to Elevate Your Mind
Known for his sharp humor and insightful commentary, Oscar Wilde quotes cover a range of topics, from life and love to society and human nature. Plunge into these intriguing quotes that still captivate readers across generations.
Hailing from Ireland, Oscar Wilde isn’t just a name, but a symbol of wit and literary brilliance. Born in 1854, his influence on both literature and culture is nothing short of legendary. Blending humor with perceptive social insights, Wilde’s charm has enchanted audiences across generations.
He passed away on November 30, 1900, which is coincidently the same date as Walt Whitman, one of the most significant and influential figures in American literature.
Oscar Wilde has left an indelible mark on literature and culture. With his sharp humor and profound insights, his quotes continue to resonate across generations. Discover the essence of Wilde’s brilliance as this collection unveils some of his most memorable quotes
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Oscar Wilde Quotes
Oscar Wilde’s unique writing style challenged the norms of his time with eloquence and satire. A pioneer of the Aesthetic Movement, he advocated for beauty and non-conformity. His unconventional lifestyle and magnetic personality stirred both love and controversy in Victorian society.
Here are some of the best Oscar Wilde Quotes for you.
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
“I am not young enough to know everything.”
“The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.”
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
“I can resist anything except temptation.”
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”
“A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
“I don’t want to go to heaven. None of my friends are there.”
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
“Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood.”
“I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.”
“The world is a stage, but the play is badly cast.”
“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”
“There is no sin except stupidity.”
“Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.”
“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.”
“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”
“Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.”
These Oscar Wilde Quotes capture his unique perspective on life, society, and human nature, showcasing his mastery of wit and satire.
Oscar Wilde Quotes Love
Oscar Wilde had some memorable quotes about love as well. Here are some of the best Oscar Wilde Quotes Love for you.
“Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.”
“The very essence of romance is uncertainty.”
“The heart was made to be broken.”
“Who, being loved, is poor?”
“The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.”
“Men always want to be a woman’s first love. Women have a more subtle instinct: What they like is to be a man’s last romance.”
“When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed, when I am in really great trouble, as anyone who knows me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except food and drink.”
“The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.”
“A kiss may ruin a human life.”
“Who, being loved, is poor?”
“The world has grown suspicious of anything that looks like a happily married life.”
“Love is an endless act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is an endless act of love.”
“When one is in love, one always begins by deceiving oneself, and one always ends by deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.”
“In this world, there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”
“Women love us for our defects. If we have enough of them, they will forgive us everything, even our gigantic intellects.”
“It takes great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it.”
“The heart is meant to be broken.”
“Deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.”
Oscar Wilde Quotes Love are both witty and thought-provoking, often exploring the complexities and paradoxes of romantic relationships.
Oscar Wilde Quotes Life
Here are some of the best Oscar Wilde Quotes Life for you
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
“Life is too important to be taken seriously.”
“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.”
“Life is a long lesson in humility.”
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”
“I am not young enough to know everything.”
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
“The world is a stage, but the play is badly cast.”
“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.”
“Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.”
“The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, and the young know everything.”
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”
“Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.”
“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.”
“When one is in love, one always begins by deceiving oneself, and one always ends by deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.”
“One should always be in love. That’s the reason one should never marry.”
“The very essence of romance is uncertainty.”
“What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”
“I can resist everything except temptation.”
These Oscar Wilde Quotes Life offer a glimpse into his philosophical and often satirical perspective on life and its various aspects.
Oscar Wilde Quotes On Society
Oscar Wilde had numerous thought-provoking quotes about society. Here are some of the best Oscar Wilde Quotes On Society for you.
“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.”
“In modern life nothing produces such an effect as a good platitude. It makes the whole world kin.”
“The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.”
“In America the President reigns for four years, and journalism governs forever and ever.”
“A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone’s feelings unintentionally.”
“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
“There is no class so pitiably wretched as that which possesses money and nothing else.”
“The fact of a man’s being a poisoner is nothing against his prose.”
“It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances. The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.”
“The only way a woman can ever reform a man is by boring him so completely that he loses all possible interest in life.”
“A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies.”
“The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything, except what is worth knowing.”
“It is only by not paying one’s bills that one can hope to live in the memory of the commercial classes.”
“The old-fashioned respect for the young is fast dying out.”
“No woman should ever be quite accurate about her age. It looks so calculating.
These Oscar Wilde Quotes On Society offer a glimpse into Wilde’s keen observations and often satirical take on the intricacies of society and its norms.
Oscar Wilde Quotes Funny
Here are some Oscar Wilde Quotes Funny for you.
“I can resist everything except temptation.”
“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”
“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.”
“I am not young enough to know everything.”
“The world is a stage, but the play is badly cast.”
“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”
“Work is the curse of the drinking classes.”
“I have nothing to declare except my genius.”
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”
“Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.”
“To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”
“A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
“I don’t want to go to heaven. None of my friends are there.”
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
“A man can be happy with any woman as long as he does not love her.”
“There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”
“It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious.”
“When I was young, I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old, I know it is.”
“The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, and the young know everything.”
“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”
Remember that Oscar Wilde Quotes Funny often have a satirical and ironic tone, so they should be taken in the context of his unique style and perspective.
Oscar Wilde Quotes Be Yourself
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.”
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”
“The only way to be rid of temptation is to yield to it.”
“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
“Every great man nowadays has his disciples, and it is always Judas who writes the biography.”
“I am my own hero.”
“The very essence of romance is uncertainty.”
“I think it is very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person.”
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
“One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.”
“To be natural is such a very difficult pose to keep up.”
“You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.”
“I am not young enough to know everything.”
“It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious.”
“What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world, there are only individuals.”
“It takes great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it.”
Oscar Wilde Quotes Be Yourself carry his unique blend of wit, irony, and wisdom, inviting us to embrace our individuality and authenticity.
Oscar Wilde Quotes About Identity
Here are some Oscar Wilde Quotes About Identity for you.
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”
“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.”
“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.”
“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.”
“I am not a teacher, but an awakener.”
“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.”
“You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.”
“Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.”
“It is better to be beautiful than to be good. But it is better to be good than to be ugly.”
“The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.”
“There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”
“We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.”
“The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.”
“It takes great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it.”
“Every great man nowadays has his disciples, and it is always Judas who writes the biography.”
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
“Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope.”
“No man is rich enough to buy back his past.”
These Oscar Wilde Quotes About Identity reflect Wilde’s perspective on the complexity of human identity and the role of individuality in shaping one’s life.
Oscar Wilde Quotes Meaning
Here are the meanings behind some of the best Oscar Wilde quotes for you.
“I can resist everything except temptation.”
Meaning: This quote humorously acknowledges the human tendency to give in to temptations despite trying to resist them.
“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.”
Meaning: Wilde playfully suggests that sometimes, giving in to temptation might be the only way to overcome its allure.
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”
Meaning: Wilde cleverly redefines mistakes as experiences, highlighting that even failures contribute to our growth and wisdom.
“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”
Meaning: This quote satirizes the fickle nature of fashion trends and critiques society’s constant need for change in superficial matters.
“A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
Meaning: Wilde criticizes cynicism and materialism, suggesting that valuing things solely based on their price ignores their true worth.
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Meaning: This quote reflects Wilde’s belief in finding beauty and inspiration even in difficult circumstances, emphasizing a positive perspective.
“To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”
Meaning: Wilde uses irony to comment on societal perceptions of tragedy, implying that losing both parents might be seen as neglectful.
“There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”
Meaning: Wilde suggests that any attention, even negative, is better than being ignored or forgotten, emphasizing the desire for recognition.
“A man can be happy with any woman as long as he does not love her.”
Meaning: This quote humorously asserts that love often brings complexities and challenges, implying that a lack of emotional attachment might lead to an easier relationship.
“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”
Meaning: Wilde pokes fun at intellectual pretensions, suggesting that one can become so wrapped up in their cleverness that they lose clarity in communication.
Remember that Oscar Wilde Quotes About Identity often carry a blend of wit, satire, and commentary on society, which contribute to their layered meanings.
Interesting Facts About Oscar Wilde
Here are some interesting facts about Oscar Wilde
Early Years of Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland. His full name was Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde.
Education Oscar Wilde
Wilde studied at Trinity College in Dublin and later went on to study at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was known for his exceptional wit and flamboyant personality even during his university years.
Oscar Wilde’s Aesthetic Movement
Wilde became associated with the aesthetic movement, which emphasized the importance of beauty and art for art’s sake. He promoted the idea that art should not serve a moral or didactic purpose but should be appreciated for its intrinsic value.
Oscar Wilde’s Literary Works
Wilde’s most famous works include “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” a novel that explores the pursuit of pleasure and aestheticism, and his comedic play “The Importance of Being Earnest,” known for its witty dialogue and satire of Victorian society.
Oscar Wilde’s Marriage and Family
Wilde married Constance Lloyd in 1884, and they had two sons together. However, his personal life faced challenges due to his affairs and ultimately his homosexuality, which was illegal then.
Oscar Wilde Trials and Imprisonment
Wilde’s affair with Lord Alfred Douglas led to a public scandal. In 1895, he sued Douglas’s father, the Marquess of Queensberry, for libel after being accused of homosexuality. The case backfired, and Wilde was subsequently tried and convicted for “gross indecency.” He was sentenced to two years of hard labor.
Oscar Wilde’s Imprisonment and Decline
Wilde spent two years in prison, during which his health deteriorated. After his release, he lived in exile in France under the name Sebastian Melmoth. He struggled financially and emotionally during this period.
Oscar Wilde’s Death and Legacy
Oscar Wilde died on November 30, 1900, in Paris at the age of 46. His grave in Père Lachaise Cemetery has become a pilgrimage site for admirers. Wilde’s works have continued to gain recognition for their wit, social commentary, and exploration of human nature.
Oscar Wilde’s Epigrams and Wit
Wilde was famous for his sharp wit and memorable epigrams. His quotes and sayings continue to be widely quoted and celebrated for their humor and insights.
Oscar Wilde’s Posthumous Pardon
In 2017, Wilde was posthumously pardoned in the UK for his 1895 convictions related to homosexuality. This legal change recognized the injustice he faced due to his sexual orientation.
Oscar Wilde’s life was marked by his incredible literary talents, his wit, and his willingness to challenge the societal norms of his time. His legacy lives on through his works and his enduring influence on literature and cultural discourse.
Coincidences About Oscar Wilde
Here are a few notable events and occurrences that might be considered coincidental about Oscar Wilde:
Oscar Wilde Shared Death Dates
Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman, two literary figures from different parts of the world, both passed away on November 30, 1900. This shared death date is considered a curious coincidence.
Oscar Wilde’s Play and The Titanic
The Titanic, the famous luxury liner that tragically sank on its maiden voyage in 1912, was carrying a copy of Oscar Wilde’s play “The Importance of Being Earnest” among its cargo. Some have found this to be an eerie coincidence, considering Wilde’s life and the play’s humorous themes.
Oscar Wilde’s Name in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
In Wilde’s novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” there’s a passage describing a yellow book with a French title, “Le Secret de Raoul.” Interestingly, there was a real French novel published around the same time titled “Le Secret de Raoul” by Eugène Chavette. Some speculate whether Wilde might have been referencing this actual book in his work.
Oscar Wilde’s Coincidences in His Works
Some critics and readers have pointed out coincidences or parallels between characters and situations in Wilde’s works and real-life events or individuals he was associated with. These connections often spark discussions about whether certain aspects of his fiction were inspired by his personal experiences.
Oscar Wilde Parallel Themes in Contemporary Works
Wilde’s themes of individualism, aestheticism, and the challenges of societal norms have often resonated with later authors and thinkers. Some contemporary writers and artists have explored similar concepts, leading to discussions about coincidences in their thematic approaches.
Remember that while these instances might seem coincidental, they could also be a product of shared cultural influences, literary trends, or even deliberate references by other creators.
Coincidences often invite intriguing interpretations, adding layers of complexity to the legacy and impact of figures like Oscar Wilde.
Summing Up
In a symphony of words and wit, Oscar Wilde’s Quotes resonate as a testament to timeless brilliance. Through his unmatched ability to blend humor and profundity, Wilde’s insights transcend eras, inviting us to ponder life, society, and human nature.
As we explore his curated collection of quotes, we’re reminded that Wilde’s legacy is not merely a chapter in literary history, but a vibrant source of inspiration for anyone seeking to grasp the complexities of existence with a smile.
Whether it’s a laugh or a thought-provoking insight you seek, Oscar Wilde’s quotes hold the key to a world where words dance with eloquence and captivate the imagination.
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