Author: Oscar Wilde Page 3

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

There can be nothing more frequent than an occasional drink.

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

Don't tempt me, I can resist anything but temptation.

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

I like Wagner’s music better than anybody’s; it is so loud that one can talk the whole time without people hearing what one says.

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

No great artist ever sees things as they really are; if he did, he would cease to be an artist.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Art Entertainment

Football is all very well a good game for rough girls, but not for delicate boys.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Football Sports

America is one long expectoration.

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

The basis of optimism is sheer terror.

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

I don't recognize you – I've changed a lot.

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

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

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

A mutual misunderstanding.

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Emotions Love

The Book of Life begins with a man and a woman in a garden… it ends with Revelations.

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

I like Wagner's music better than any other music; it is so loud that one can talk the whole time without people hearing what one says.

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

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

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

(1854 – 1900) Irish dramatist, novelist & poet
Intelligence Money

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

Work is the curse of the drinking classes.

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

I like persons better than principles, and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world.

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

I like to do all the talking myself; it saves time, and prevents arguments.

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

Men always want to be a woman's first love; women like to be a man's last romance.

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

Good intentions are invariably ungrammatical.

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