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

It is very vulgar to talk about one's business. Only people like stockbrokers do that,...

It is very vulgar to talk about one's business. Only people like stockbrokers do that,...

I have met a lot of hardboiled eggs in my time, but you're twenty minutes.

I have met a lot of hardboiled eggs in my time, but you're twenty minutes.

In America the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs for ever and ever

In America the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs for ever and ever

These days man knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing.

These days man knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing.

There is nothing so difficult to marry as a large nose.

There is nothing so difficult to marry as a large nose.

So never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is...

So never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is...

Work is the curse of the drinking classes.

Work is the curse of the drinking classes.

If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use...

If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use...

An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.

An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.

If one could only teach the English how to talk, and the Irish how to...

If one could only teach the English how to talk, and the Irish how to...

Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex

Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex

The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.

The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.

It is only the modern that ever becomes old-fashioned.

It is only the modern that ever becomes old-fashioned.

Young men want to be faithful, and are not; old men want to be faithless,...

Young men want to be faithful, and are not; old men want to be faithless,...

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

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

Judges, like the criminal classes, have their lighter moments

Judges, like the criminal classes, have their lighter moments

Action is the last resource of those who know not how to dream.

Action is the last resource of those who know not how to dream.

Crying is the refuge of plain women but the ruin of pretty ones.

Crying is the refuge of plain women but the ruin of pretty ones.

Nothing is sooner dry than a woman's tears.

Nothing is sooner dry than a woman's tears.

The glorification of the 'woman's role, then, seems to be in proportion to society's reluctance...

The glorification of the 'woman's role, then, seems to be in proportion to society's reluctance...