Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright and poet. He is best known for his sharp wit, flamboyant personality, and his contributions to late 19th-century literature and theatre. In this post, we share many timeless Oscar Wilde quotes for daily inspiration.

Early Life

Oscar Wilde was born on October 16, 1854 in Dublin, Ireland, and lived a life that was as colorful and controversial as his works.

Wilde was born into a relatively well-off Anglo-Irish family. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and later at Magdalen College, Oxford.

During these years, he distinguished himself as a scholar, essayist, and a proponent of the Aesthetic Movement. This movement celebrated beauty, creativity, and artistic expression as values in and of themselves. In short, the Aesthetic Movement emphasized “art for art’s sake.”

Contributor to the Aesthetic Movement

In the late 1870s and 1880s, Wilde established himself as a prominent figure in London’s social and literary circles. He had a distinctive style, characterized by his attire and razor-sharp wit. This made him a sought-after conversationalist and lecturer.

He wrote various influential essays, including “The Critic as Artist” and “The Decay of Lying.” These works championed the principles of the Aesthetic Movement. They also highlighted his belief in the importance of individualism and artistic freedom.

Foray into Playwriting

Wilde’s foray into playwriting was perhaps his most enduring contribution to literature. His first play, “Lady Windermere’s Fan” (1892), was followed by a string of successes. These included “A Woman of No Importance” (1893) and “An Ideal Husband” (1895).

However, it was his masterpiece, “The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895), that established him as a leading playwright of his era. The play was known for its clever wordplay, satire, and social commentary. And it remains a classic of English literature.

In addition to his plays, Wilde also penned several works of fiction, including “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1890). This famous novel tells the story of a young man who remains youthful, while a portrait of him ages. The novel explores themes of vanity, decadence, and the price of eternal youth.

Personal Challenges

Wilde’s life took a tumultuous turn when he became embroiled in a scandal. In 1895, he sued the Marquess of Queensberry for libel after the Marquess accused him of being involved in a homosexual relationship.

The trial that followed exposed Wilde’s own homosexual relationships, which were illegal in Victorian England. Ultimately, Wilde lost the case. He was sentenced to two years of hard labor for “gross indecency.”

Imprisonment took a toll on Wilde’s health and reputation. After his release in 1897, he lived in exile in France under the pseudonym “Sebastian Melmoth.”

His final years were marked by financial difficulties, estrangement from his family, and declining health. He wrote poignant letters to his estranged lover, Lord Alfred Douglas in which he reflected on his experiences and personal growth.

The Legacy of Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde died of meningitis on November 30, 1900, at the age of 46. His tragic end and the scandals that surrounded him in his later life have only added to his enduring legend.

Oscar Wilde’s influence has extended well beyond the 19th century. His works continue to be widely read, performed, and adapted into various media.

Wilde was known for his sharp intellect and humor, and his legacy as a literary and cultural icon endures to this day.

Famous Oscar Wilde Quotes

Below are many popular Oscar Wilde quotes from throughout his life and career. We hope these will be a source of inspiration and courage in your life.

“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”

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

“The only difference between a saint and a sinner is that every saint has a past, and every Sinner has a future.”

“Deceiving others — that is what the world calls a romance.”

“Women are made to be loved, not understood.”

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

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

“The world has grown suspicious of anything that looks like a happily married life.”

“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.”

“Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming.”

“What is a cynic?  A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”

“A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament.”

“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”

“Questions are never indiscreet, answers sometimes are.”

“Everybody who is incapable of learning has taken to teaching.”

“There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”

“Keep love in your heart.  A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.”

“Whenever people agree with me, I always feel I must be wrong.”

“As long as a woman can look 10 years younger than her own daughter, she is perfectly satisfied.”

“The world is divided into two classes, those who believe the incredible, and those who do the improbable.”

“Men always want to be a woman’s first love — women like to be a man’s last romance.”

“I have nothing to declare except my genius.”

“There is no sin except stupidity.”

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

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”

“There is always something ridiculous about the emotions of people whom one has ceased to love.”

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

“I am not young enough to know everything?”

“A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.”

“Always forgive your enemies — nothing annoys them so much.”

“If there was less sympathy in the world, there would be less trouble in the world.”

“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.”

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

Oscar Wilde Quotes – Final Words

Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright and poet. He is best known for his sharp wit, flamboyant personality, and his contributions to late 19th-century literature and theatre. Without question, Wilde’s writing and persona have left an indelible mark on literature, art, and popular culture.

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