Quotations by Oscar Wilde

To me, beauty is the wonder of wonders. It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances. The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

There are only two kinds of people who are really fascinating — people who know absolutely everything, and people who know absolutely nothing.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life.

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

Really, if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

To be in love is to surpass one's self.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

Each of us has heaven and hell in him.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his.

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty and to someone else if she is plain.

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

It was the passions about whose origin we deceived ourselves that tyrannized most strongly over us. Our weakest motives were those of whose nature we were conscious. It often happened that when we thought we were experimenting on others we were really experimenting on ourselves.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

The home seems to me to be the proper sphere for the man. And certainly once a man begins to neglect his domestic duties he becomes painfully effeminate, does he not?

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

The critic is he who can translate into another manner or a new material his impression of beautiful things.The highest, as the lowest, form of criticism is a mode of autobiography.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

The artist is the creator of beautiful things.To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves, we feel that no one else has a right to blame us. It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

No artist desires to prove anything. Even things that are true can be proved.

Oscar Wilde · The Picture of Dorian Gray

Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for years.

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

The absence of old friends one can endure with equanimity. But even a momentary separation from anyone to whom one has just been introduced is almost unbearable.

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

Divorces are made in Heaven.

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

I have always been of opinion that a man who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing.

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

In married life, three is company, and two is none.

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.

Oscar Wilde · The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People