Author: Oscar Wilde Page 6

Fathers should neither be seen nor heard; that is the only proper basis for family life.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Family Fathers

If we men married the women we deserved, we should have a very bad time of it.

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

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.

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

I dislike arguments of any kind; they are always vulgar, and often convincing.

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

If one could only teach the English how to talk, and the Irish how to listen, society here would be quite civilized.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Communication England People Places Speech

The worst vice of the fanatic is his sincerity.

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

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 can be nothing more frequent than an occasional drink.

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

Long engagements give people the opportunity of finding out each other's character before marriage, which is never advisable.

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

A man's face is his autobiography; a woman's face is her work of fiction.

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

A bad temper, like Mr. Whistler's paintings, should never be displayed in public.

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

Of course, America had often been discovered before Columbus, but it had always been hushed up.

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

Prayer must never be answered: if it is, it ceases to be prayer and becomes correspondence.

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

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

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

A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally.

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

The basis of optimism is sheer terror.

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