Literature always anticipates life. It does not copy it, but moulds it to its purpose. The nineteenth century, as we know it, is largely an invention of Balzac.

Quote by Oscar Wilde

Topics: Literature Quotes

The advantage of the emotions is that they lead us astray.

The advantage of the emotions is that they lead us astray.

There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves we feel that no one...

There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves we feel that no one...

Love is like a booger. You keep picking at it until you get it, then...

Love is like a booger. You keep picking at it until you get it, then...

Biography lends to death a new terror.

Biography lends to death a new terror.

And now, I am dying beyond my means.

And now, I am dying beyond my means.

I suppose society is wonderfully delightful. To be in it is merely a bore. But...

I suppose society is wonderfully delightful. To be in it is merely a bore. But...

It is a curious fact that people are never so trivial as when they take...

It is a curious fact that people are never so trivial as when they take...

The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own...

The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own...

Murder is always a mistake - one should never do anything one cannot talk about...

Murder is always a mistake - one should never do anything one cannot talk about...

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

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

The only reward for love is the experience of loving.

The only reward for love is the experience of loving.

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

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

Journalism justifies its own existence by the great Darwinian principle of the survival of the...

Journalism justifies its own existence by the great Darwinian principle of the survival of the...

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

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

I sometimes think that God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability

I sometimes think that God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability

Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex

Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex

Questions are never indiscreet, answers sometimes are.

Questions are never indiscreet, answers sometimes are.

Appearance blinds, whereas words reveal.

Appearance blinds, whereas words reveal.

There is nothing as mysterious as something clearly seen

There is nothing as mysterious as something clearly seen

When the meaning is unclear there is no meaning.

When the meaning is unclear there is no meaning.

'Tis my opinion every man cheats in his own way, and he is only honest...

'Tis my opinion every man cheats in his own way, and he is only honest...