Author: Oscar Wilde Page 5

In this world there are only two tragedies: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Problems

How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Men People Women

The only charm of marriage is that it makes a life of deception necessary for both parties.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Husbands Marriage Wives

Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Characteristics

The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Characteristics Honesty Truth

Good intentions are invariably ungrammatical.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Characteristics

Woman begins by resisting a man’s advances and ends by blocking his retreat.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
People Relationships Women

My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. Either they go or I do.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Last words

There can be nothing more frequent than an occasional drink.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Alcohol Food/Drink

He [Bernard Shaw] hasn’t an enemy in the world, and none of his friends like him.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Insults

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

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Characteristics Opinion People

To be natural is such a very difficult pose to keep up.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Characteristics

Men marry because they are tired; women, because they are curious; both are disappointed.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Marriage Men Women

The problem with the common person is that he is so unbearably common!

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
People

Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Eating Food/Drink Intelligence

America is one long expectoration.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
America Insults Places

Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Appearance Clothing Ugly

There are two ways of disliking poetry; one way is to dislike it, the other is to read Pope.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Communication Reading/Writing Reviews/Criticism

I don’t like the Switzerland: it has produced nothing but theologians and waiters.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Places

Be moderate in all things, including moderation.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Characteristics

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

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Communication Death Speech