WIST

Morality is simply the attitude we adopt to people we personally dislike.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
“An Ideal Husband” (1895)

And, after all, what is a fashion? From the artistic point of view, it is usually a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
“Literary and Other Notes — I,” Woman’s World (Nov 1887)
Full text.

ERNEST: What is the differnece between literature and journalism?
GILBERT: Oh! journalism is unreadable, and literature is not read.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
“Sebastian Melmoth”

It is so easy to convert others. It is so difficult to convert oneself.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
“The Critic as Artist” (2), Intentions (1891)

An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
“The Critic as Artist,” Intentions (1891)

A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
“The Portrait of Mr. W.H.,” Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine (Jul 1889)

Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
“The Soul of Man Under Socialism,” Fortnightly Review (Feb 1881)

There are three kinds of despots. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the body. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the soul. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the soul and body alike. The first is called the Prince. The second is called the Pope. The third is called the People.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
“The Soul of Man under Socialism,” Fortnightly Review (Feb 1891)

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.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
“The Soul of Man Under Socialism,” Fortnightly Review (Feb 1891)

The basis of optimism is sheer terror.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Simple pleasures are the last refuge of the complex.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

[Wilde:] I wish I had said that.
[James Whistler:] You will, Oscar, you will.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)
in Oscar Wilde ( L. C. Ingleby)

Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

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

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Nothing is so aggravating as calmness.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Put your talent into your work, but your genius into your life.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

The truth is rarely plain and never simple.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Who, being loved, is poor?

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

A true friend stabs you in the front.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live. It is asking other people to live as one wishes to live.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)