137 Best Oscar Wilde Quotes and Views (Be Yourself)

Discover the wit and wisdom of Oscar Wilde through a curated collection of his quotes that span love, life, and laughter.

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Best Oscar Wilde Quotes (Be Yourself)

Be yourself everyone else is already taken.Pin

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. Oscar Wilde

A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.Pin

A man who does not think for himself, does not think at all. Oscar Wilde

Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friends success.Pin

Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend’s success. Oscar Wilde

Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone elses opinions their lives a mimicry.Pin

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

Man is a rational animal who always loses his patience when he is called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.Pin

Man is a rational animal who always loses his patience when he is called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason. Oscar Wilde

Humanity takes itself too seriously. It is the worlds original sin. If the cave man had known how to laugh history would have been different.Pin

Humanity takes itself too seriously. It is the world’s original sin. If the cave-man had known how to laugh, history would have been different. Oscar Wilde

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

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

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.Pin

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes. Oscar Wilde

Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.Pin

Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. Oscar Wilde

Today we know the price of everything but not their value.Pin

Today we know the price of everything, but not their value. Oscar Wilde

The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.Pin

The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself. Oscar Wilde

I really want to talk about nothing. Its the only issue I know anything about.Pin

I really want to talk about nothing. It’s the only issue I know anything about. Oscar Wilde

I like people more than principles and I like people without principles more than anything else in the world.Pin

I like people more than principles, and I like people without principles more than anything else in the world. Oscar Wilde

The nicest feeling in the world is to do a good deed anonymously and have somebody find out.Pin

The nicest feeling in the world is to do a good deed anonymously-and have somebody find out. Oscar Wilde

If one cannot enjoy reading a book again and again there is no point in reading it at all.Pin

If one cannot enjoy reading a book again and again, there is no point in reading it at all. Oscar Wilde

Men always want to be a womans first love women want to be a mans last romance.Pin

Men always want to be a woman’s first love – women want to be a man’s last romance. Oscar Wilde

There are many things that we would throw away if we were not afraid that others might pick them up.Pin

There are many things that we would throw away if we were not afraid that others might pick them up. Oscar Wilde

Society often forgives the criminal it never forgives the dreamer.Pin

Society often forgives the criminal; it never forgives the dreamer. Oscar Wilde

Beauty is the only thing that time cannot harm. Philosophies fall away like sand, creeds follow one another, but what is beautiful is a joy for all seasons, a possession forPin

Beauty is the only thing that time cannot harm. Philosophies fall away like sand, creeds follow one another, but what is beautiful is a joy for all seasons, a possession for all eternity. Oscar Wilde

The moment you think you understand a great work of art its dead for you.Pin

The moment you think you understand a great work of art, it’s dead for you. Oscar Wilde

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

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

I can sympathize with everything except suffering. I cannot sympathize with that. It is too ugly too horrible too distressing.Pin

I can sympathize with everything except suffering. I cannot sympathize with that. It is too ugly, too horrible, too distressing. Oscar Wilde

There is something terribly morbid in the modern sympathy with pain. One should sympathize with the color the beauty the joy of life. The less said about lifes sores the better.Pin

There is something terribly morbid in the modern sympathy with pain. One should sympathize with the color, the beauty, the joy of life. The less said about life’s sores, the better. Oscar Wilde

Man can believe the impossible but man can never believe the improbable.Pin

Man can believe the impossible, but man can never believe the improbable. Oscar Wilde

A good friend will always stab you in the front.Pin

A good friend will always stab you in the front. Oscar Wilde

Behind every exquisite thing that existed there was something tragic.Pin

Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic. Oscar Wilde

Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds.Pin

Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds. Oscar Wilde

I am so clever that sometimes I dont understand a single word of what I am saying.Pin

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying. Oscar Wilde

I can resist anything except temptation.Pin

I can resist anything except temptation. Oscar Wilde

He who does not know how to learn gives advice.Pin

He who does not know how to learn, gives advice. Oscar Wilde

To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist that is all.Pin

To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. Oscar Wilde

The real life is very often the life that one does not live.Pin

The real life is very often the life that one does not live. Oscar Wilde

Experience is one thing you cant get for nothing.Pin

Experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing. Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde’s Quotes on Life and Wisdom

He has no enemies but is intensely disliked by his friends.Pin

He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends. Oscar Wilde

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. Thats his.Pin

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his. Oscar Wilde

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.Pin

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about. Oscar Wilde

Theyve promised that dreams can come true but forgot to mention that nightmares are dreams too.Pin

They’ve promised that dreams can come true – but forgot to mention that nightmares are dreams, too. Oscar Wilde

An excellent man he has no enemies and none of his friends like him.Pin

An excellent man; he has no enemies; and none of his friends like him. Oscar Wilde

If you pretend to be good the world takes you very seriously. If you pretend to be bad it doesn�t. Such is the astounding stupidity of optimism.Pin

If you pretend to be good, the world takes you very seriously. If you pretend to be bad, it doesn’t. Such is the astounding stupidity of optimism. Oscar Wilde

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

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

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

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

When one is in love one always begins by deceiving ones self and one always ends by deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.Pin

When one is in love, one always begins by deceiving one’s self, and one always ends by deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance. Oscar Wilde

A mans face is his autobiography. A womans face is her work of art.Pin

A man’s face is his autobiography. A woman’s face is her work of art. Oscar Wilde

Questions are never indiscreet answers sometimes are.Pin

Questions are never indiscreet, answers sometimes are. Oscar Wilde

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

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

Always forgive your enemies nothing annoys them so much.Pin

Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much. Oscar Wilde

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

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

One can survive everything nowadays except death and live down everything except a good reputation.Pin

One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation. Oscar Wilde

The world is a stage but the drama is badly played.Pin

The world is a stage, but the drama is badly played. Oscar Wilde

A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.Pin

A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing. Oscar Wilde

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

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

Moderation is something fatal. Nothing is more successful than excess.Pin

Moderation is something fatal. Nothing is more successful than excess. Oscar Wilde

True friends dont stick the knife in the back but in front.Pin

True friends don’t stick the knife in the back, but in front. Oscar Wilde

Deceiving others. This is what the world calls a romance.Pin

Deceiving others. This is what the world calls a romance. Oscar Wilde

The first task in this life is to be as superficial as possible. What is the second task no one has been able to find out yet.Pin

The first task in this life is to be as superficial as possible. What is the second task, no one has been able to find out yet. Oscar Wilde

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

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

The well bred contradict other people. The wise contradict themselves.Pin

The well-bred contradict other people. The wise contradict themselves. Oscar Wilde

I can believe anything provided that it is quite incredible.Pin

I can believe anything, provided that it is quite incredible. Oscar Wilde

A gentleman is one who never hurts anyones feelings unintentionally.Pin

A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone’s feelings unintentionally. Oscar Wilde

Women are made to be loved not to be understood.Pin

Women are made to be loved, not to be understood. Oscar Wilde

I think that when one has finished reading a book, one likes to find someone else who has read it, to whom one can say, 'What did you think of it'Pin

I think that when one has finished reading a book, one likes to find someone else who has read it, to whom one can say, ‘What did you think of it?’ Oscar Wilde

Ones real life is so often the life that one does not lead.Pin

One’s real life is so often the life that one does not lead. Oscar Wilde

Women are not disarmed by compliments. Men always are. This is the difference between the sexes.Pin

Women are not disarmed by compliments. Men always are. This is the difference between the sexes. Oscar Wilde

Society exists only as a mental concept in the real world there are only individuals.Pin

Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals. Oscar Wilde

There is no sin except stupidity.Pin

There is no sin except stupidity. Oscar Wilde

The critic has to educate the public the artist has to educate the critic.Pin

The critic has to educate the public; the artist has to educate the critic. Oscar Wilde

I never put off till tomorrow what I can possibly do the day after.Pin

I never put off till tomorrow what I can possibly do the day after. Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde’s Timeless Quotes

After the first glass, you see things as you would like them to be. After the second glass, you see things as they are not. In the end, you see things as they really arePin

After the first glass, you see things as you would like them to be. After the second glass, you see things as they are not. In the end, you see things as they really are, and that is the ugliest thing in the world. Oscar Wilde

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

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

There are only two kinds of people who are really fascinating people who know absolutely everything and people who know absolutely nothing.Pin

There are only two kinds of people who are really fascinating – people who know absolutely everything, and people who know absolutely nothing. Oscar Wilde

Only superficial people do not judge by appearance.Pin

Only superficial people do not judge by appearance. Oscar Wilde

You can never be overdressed or over educated.Pin

You can never be overdressed or over-educated. Oscar Wilde

Experience has no ethical value it is simply the name people give to their mistakes.Pin

Experience has no ethical value: it is simply the name people give to their mistakes. Oscar Wilde

The good ended happily and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.Pin

The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means. Oscar Wilde

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.Pin

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Oscar Wilde

One of the many lessons that one learns in prison is that things are what they are and will be what they will be.Pin

One of the many lessons that one learns in prison is, that things are what they are and will be what they will be. Oscar Wilde

Hate is blind like love.Pin

Hate is blind, like love. Oscar Wilde

Charity creates a multitude of sins.Pin

Charity creates a multitude of sins. Oscar Wilde

One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards.Pin

One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards. Oscar Wilde

Everything popular is wrong.Pin

Everything popular is wrong. Oscar Wilde

Education is an admirable thing but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.Pin

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. Oscar Wilde

It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating.Pin

It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating. Oscar Wilde

I have simple tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.Pin

I have simple tastes. I am always satisfied with the best. Oscar Wilde

The true mystery of the world is the visible not the invisible.Pin

The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible. Oscar Wilde

No one is rich enough to buy his past.Pin

No one is rich enough to buy his past. Oscar Wilde

Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist not of the sitter.Pin

Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter. Oscar Wilde

I put all my genius into my life I put only my talent into my works.Pin

I put all my genius into my life, I put only my talent into my works. Oscar Wilde

Our ambition should be to rule ourselves the true kingdom for each one of us and true progress is to know more and be more and to do more.Pin

Our ambition should be to rule ourselves, the true kingdom for each one of us; and true progress is to know more, and be more, and to do more. Oscar Wilde

Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life.Pin

Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life. Oscar Wilde

The elderly believe they know the middle aged doubt they know the young think they know everything.Pin

The elderly believe they know, the middle-aged doubt they know, the young think they know everything. Oscar Wilde

A bore is someone who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company.Pin

A bore is someone who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company. Oscar Wilde

I can stand brute force but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.Pin

I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect. Oscar Wilde

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

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

There is nothing more dangerous than being too modern. You risk going out of fashion at any moment.Pin

There is nothing more dangerous than being too modern. You risk going out of fashion at any moment. Oscar Wilde

Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing it is always from the noblest motives.Pin

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

Success is a science if you have the conditions you get the result.Pin

Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result. Oscar Wilde

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

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

I have nothing to declare except my genius.Pin

I have nothing to declare except my genius. Oscar Wilde

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

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

I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.Pin

I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train. Oscar Wilde

If you want to tell people the truth make them laugh otherwise they�ll kill you.Pin

If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise, they’ll kill you. Oscar Wilde

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

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

Oscar Wilde’s Views on Society: Quotes on Culture

Arguments are extremely vulgar for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion.Pin

Arguments are extremely vulgar, for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion. Oscar Wilde

Most people die of a sort of creeping common sense and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are ones mistakes.Pin

Most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one’s mistakes. Oscar Wilde

I see when men love women. They give them only a little of their life.Pin

But women when they love you give you everything.Pin

I see when men love women. They give them only a little of their life.But women, when they love you, give you everything. Oscar Wilde

Nothing can cure the soul but the senses just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul.Pin

Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul. Oscar Wilde

To gain popularity you have to be mediocre.Pin

To gain popularity you have to be mediocre. Oscar Wilde

By giving us the opinions of the uneducated journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community.Pin

By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community. Oscar Wilde

Never love anyone who treats you like youre ordinary.Pin

Never love anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary. Oscar Wilde

The difference between literature and journalism is that journalism is unreadable and literature is not read.Pin

The difference between literature and journalism is that journalism is unreadable and literature is not read. Oscar Wilde

Pessimist One who when he has the choice of two evils chooses both.Pin

Pessimist: One who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both. Oscar Wilde

I choose my friends for their good looks my acquaintances for their good characters and my enemies for their good intellects.Pin

I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects. Oscar Wilde

Only by not paying the bills can we hope to live in the memory of the commercial classes.Pin

Only by not paying the bills can we hope to live in the memory of the commercial classes. Oscar Wilde

Man is very little himself when he talks about himself. Give him a mask and he will tell you the truth.Pin

Man is very little himself when he talks about himself. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. Oscar Wilde

Ridicule is the tribute that the mediocre pay to the genius.Pin

Ridicule is the tribute that the mediocre pay to the genius. Oscar Wilde

The public is extremely tolerant forgive everything but genius.Pin

The public is extremely tolerant; forgive everything but genius. Oscar Wilde

Some cause happiness wherever they go others whenever they go.Pin

Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go. Oscar Wilde

Memory... It is the diary that we all keep for ourselves.Pin

Memory… It is the diary that we all keep for ourselves. Oscar Wilde

Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.Pin

Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. Oscar Wilde

I am not young enough to know everything.Pin

I am not young enough to know everything. Oscar Wilde

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.Pin

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known. Oscar Wilde

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.Pin

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. Oscar Wilde

A poet can survive anything but not a typo.Pin

A poet can survive anything, but not a typo. Oscar Wilde

You can steal ordinary possessions real riches can never be stolen. In your soul are infinitely precious things that no one can take away from you.Pin

You can steal ordinary possessions; real riches can never be stolen. In your soul are infinitely precious things that no one can take away from you. Oscar Wilde

The best career advice you can give to young people is Find out what you like to do the most and then find someone to pay you for it.Pin

The best career advice you can give to young people is: Find out what you like to do the most and then find someone to pay you for it. Oscar Wilde

We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities.Pin

We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities. Oscar Wilde

Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.Pin

Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Oscar Wilde

Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship and it is far the best ending for one.Pin

Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one. Oscar Wilde

Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people we personally dislike.Pin

Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people we personally dislike. Oscar Wilde

To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.Pin

To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect. Oscar Wilde

It takes great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory and still to love it.Pin

It takes great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it. Oscar Wilde

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

Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about. Oscar Wilde

The advantage of emotions is that they lead us to loss.Pin

The advantage of emotions is that they lead us to loss. Oscar Wilde

A little sincerity is a dangerous thing and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal.Pin

A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal. Oscar Wilde

To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.Pin

To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. Oscar Wilde

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

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

There is no necessity to separate the monarch from the mob all authority is equally bad.Pin

There is no necessity to separate the monarch from the mob; all authority is equally bad. Oscar Wilde

I dont want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them to enjoy them and to dominate them.Pin

I don’t want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them. Oscar Wilde

The Flamboyant Genius: Unraveling the Enigma of Oscar Wilde”

In the annals of literary history, one figure stands out like a flamboyant beacon of wit and intellect — Oscar Wilde. Born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, Wilde’s journey from poet and playwright to a symbol of Victorian flamboyance remains unparalleled.

Wilde’s early years were marked by a brilliant academic career at Trinity College, Dublin, and later at Magdalen College, Oxford. His sharp intellect and penchant for aesthetics quickly garnered attention, setting the stage for a literary career that would captivate the world.

As a poet, Wilde’s verses resonated with a lyrical brilliance that belied his contemporaries. His first collection, “Poems” (1881), showcased his command over language and exploration of themes ranging from love to the complexities of the human experience. However, it was in the realm of drama that Wilde truly left an indelible mark.

The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1890) catapulted Wilde into literary stardom. A tale of hedonism and the consequences of a life unfettered by morality, the novel shocked and fascinated Victorian society. Yet, it was Wilde’s foray into the world of theater that solidified his legacy.

Wilde’s comedic masterpieces, including “The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895) and “An Ideal Husband” (1895), showcased his unparalleled wit. His plays not only entertained but also provided a satirical mirror to the societal norms of his time. Wilde’s characters were infused with razor-sharp dialogue that mocked conventions and questioned the status quo, earning him both adoration and disdain.

However, Wilde’s brilliance was not confined to the stage. His legendary epigrams, encapsulating profound truths in pithy phrases, became the hallmark of his persona. “I can resist everything except temptation” and “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all” are just glimpses into the reservoir of Wilde’s quotable wisdom.

Tragically, Wilde’s meteoric rise was followed by a precipitous fall. His wit, once celebrated, became a weapon used against him. Convicted of “gross indecency” in 1895 for his homosexual relationships, Wilde faced public disgrace and imprisonment. Yet, even in adversity, his spirit remained unbroken.

Posthumously pardoned in 2017, Oscar Wilde’s legacy endures. His life, marked by triumph and tragedy, continues to inspire generations. The flamboyant genius, with his timeless quotes and unapologetic demeanor, challenges us to question, to laugh, and, above all, to embrace the complexities of the human condition. In unraveling the enigma of Oscar Wilde, we find not just a literary icon but a symbol of unbridled audacity in the face of societal norms.

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