Oscar Wilde

With an evening coat and a white tie, anybody, even a stock broker, can gain a reputation for being civilized.

Children begin by loving their parents. After a time they judge them. Rarely, if ever, do they forgive them.

One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.

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

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

Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.

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

There are three kinds of despots. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the body. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the soul. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the soul and body alike. The first is called the Prince. The second is called the Pope. The third is called the People.

Examinations, sir, are pure humbug from beginning to end. If a man is a gentleman, he knows quite enough, and if he is not a gentleman, whatever he knows is bad for him.

It is very vulgar to talk about one's business. Only people like stockbrokers do that, and then merely at dinner parties.