Enjoy the best Oscar Wilde Quotes. Quotations by Oscar Wilde (Poet, Playwright, Novelist) Oct 16, 1854 - Nov 30, 1900
There is nothing in the world like the devotion of a married woman. It is a thing no married man knows anything about.
The one duty we owe to history is to rewrite it.
One's real life is so often the life that one does not lead.
The mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death.
What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.
One can survive everything nowadays, except death.
I can resist anything except temptation.
The advantage of the emotions is that they lead us astray.
Pessimist: One who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.
A man can be happy with any woman as long as he does not love her.
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, poet, and wit who became one of the most prominent literary figures of the late 19th century. Known for his sharp wit, flamboyant personality, and unconventional lifestyle, Wilde remains an enduring symbol of literary genius and cultural rebellion.
Born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, Wilde was the second child of Sir William Wilde and Jane Wilde, a successful surgeon and a prominent poet respectively. From an early age, Oscar displayed remarkable intellectual abilities and a passion for literature. He attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he excelled in his studies and distinguished himself as a talented writer.
After graduating, Wilde moved to London in 1878, where he became a central figure in literary and artistic circles. He was known for his distinctive style of dress, which included flamboyant clothing and a long mane of hair. With his charming personality and clever wit, Wilde quickly became a well-known figure in society.
Wilde's literary career took off with the publication of his first collection of poems, "Poems" (1881). He gained further acclaim with his comedic plays, including "Lady Windermere's Fan" (1892), "A Woman of No Importance" (1893), and "The Importance of Being Earnest" (1895), which is considered his masterpiece. These plays showcased Wilde's wit, satire, and social commentary, and they continue to be performed and celebrated today.
In addition to his plays, Wilde wrote a novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1890), which tells the story of a man who remains eternally young while his portrait ages and reflects his moral decay. The novel challenged societal norms and explored themes of decadence, art, and the pursuit of pleasure, cementing Wilde's reputation as a provocative and subversive writer.
However, Wilde's personal life was marked by scandal and controversy. In 1895, he was charged with "gross indecency" for engaging in homosexual relationships, which was illegal at the time. He was convicted and sentenced to two years of hard labor. The trial and subsequent imprisonment took a toll on Wilde's health and reputation, and he emerged from prison a broken man.
After his release, Wilde spent the remainder of his life in France under the name Sebastian Melmoth. He published "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" (1898), a poem inspired by his experiences in prison. Wilde died of meningitis on November 30, 1900, at the age of 46, in Paris.
Despite the tragic end to his life, Oscar Wilde's literary contributions continue to captivate audiences. His wit, satire, and exploration of societal conventions have earned him a lasting place in the annals of literature. Wilde's works remain widely studied and celebrated, and his enduring legacy serves as a testament to the power of artistic expression and the resilience of the human spirit.