Quotes from work
An Ideal Husband

Oscar Wilde

An Ideal Husband is an 1895 stage play by Oscar Wilde that revolves around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honour. The action is set in London, in "the present", and takes place over the course of twenty-four hours.

“In old days men had the rack. Now they have the press.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

The Soul of Man Under Socialism (1891)
Source: An Ideal Husband

“You are Beautiful when you are happy”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“Never mind what I say. I am always saying what I shouldn't say. In fact, I usually say what I really think. A great mistake nowadays. It makes one so liable to be misunderstood.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“The world seemed to me fine because you were in it, and goodness more real because you lived.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“Circumstances should never alter principles!”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“If people are dishonest once, they will be dishonest a second time. And honest people should keep away from them. (Lady Chiltern)”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“this woman is a genius in the day time and a beauty at night”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“Do you really think, Arthur, that it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations that it requires strength, strength and courage, to yield to.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Sir Robert Chiltern, Act III
An Ideal Husband (1895)

“To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“Other people are quite dreadful. The only possible society is oneself.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Lord Goring, Act III.
Variant: The only possible society is oneself.
Source: An Ideal Husband (1895)

“I analyzed you, though you did not adore me.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“I love talking about nothing, father. It is the only thing I know anything about.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Lord Goring, Act I
An Ideal Husband (1895)

“Ah! The strength of women comes from the fact that psychology cannot explain us. Men can be analyzed, women… merely adored.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Lord Goring, Act I
Variant: The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.
Source: An Ideal Husband (1895)

“All sins, except a sin against itself, Love should forgive. All lives, save loveless lives, true Love should pardon.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Sir Robert Chiltern, Act II
Source: An Ideal Husband (1895)

“Women have a wonderful instinct about things. They can discover everything except the obvious.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Lord Goring, Act II
Source: An Ideal Husband (1895)

“Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Mrs Chevely, Act I
An Ideal Husband (1895)

“Questions are never indiscreet. Answers sometimes are.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

“When the Gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.”

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Source: An Ideal Husband

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

Oscar Wilde An Ideal Husband

Variant: It takes great courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it. And even more courage to see it in the one you love
Source: An Ideal Husband