Oscar Wilde burst onto the literary scene in the early 1890s as a dazzling playwright and poet whose razor-sharp wit and eye-catching style made him the talk of London. Best known for masterpieces like The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) and the uproarious comedy
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), Wilde’s clever epigrams and biting satire poked fun at Victorian society’s obsession with status and propriety. With his flamboyant outfits and magnetic conversational flair, he quickly became one of the most famous—and flamboyant—figures of his time.
Despite what critics might say, his works remain as meaningful and beloved today among students and scholars as they were a century ago.
Below, you’ll find a selection of Oscar Wilde’s most unforgettable quotes to spark your appreciation for art, life, and love.
Fun Fact: Wilde once strolled the streets of London with a pet hedgehog hidden in his handbag, much to the astonishment of passersby.
Table of Contents
Famous Oscar Wilde Quotes
These are Oscar Wilde’s best-loved lines—timeless, endlessly quoted, and always relevant.
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
— Often attributed to Wilde, but no verifiable source. Still, it captures his spirit of individuality.
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.
— Oscar Wilde, “The Soul of Man Under Socialism” (1891)
Why it resonates: Wilde challenged everyone to embrace life, not just go through the motions.
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
— Oscar Wilde, “Lady Windermere’s Fan” (1892)
Why it resonates: It’s a call to find hope and beauty, even in difficult circumstances.
On Life & Living Fully
Wilde believed in embracing life’s richness and refusing to settle for mediocrity.
Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.
— Oscar Wilde, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1890)
Why it resonates: Wilde turned setbacks into lessons and encouraged others to do the same.
The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.
— Oscar Wilde, “An Ideal Husband” (1895)
On Love & Relationships
Wilde’s wit sparkled in his views on love—romantic, platonic, or otherwise.
Who, being loved, is poor?
— Oscar Wilde, “A Woman of No Importance” (1893)
Why it resonates: Wilde reminded us that love, not wealth, is what makes life rich.
Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.
— Oscar Wilde, “Lady Windermere’s Fan” (1892)
Never love anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary.
— Commonly attributed, but no direct source found. Fits Wilde’s attitude toward self-worth and love.
On Art & Creativity
A passionate advocate for art, Wilde’s quotes on creativity are essential for dreamers and makers.
No artist desires to prove anything. Even things that are true can be proved.
— Oscar Wilde, Preface to “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1890)
Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.
— Oscar Wilde, “The Soul of Man Under Socialism” (1891)
Why it resonates: Wilde believed art freed people to be their truest selves.
The artist is the creator of beautiful things.
— Oscar Wilde, Preface to “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1890)
On Society & Humanity
Wilde was a keen observer and critic of Victorian society, and his words still speak truth to power.
The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.
— Oscar Wilde, “The Critic as Artist” (1891)
Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.
— Oscar Wilde, “A Woman of No Importance” (1893)
Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.
— Oscar Wilde, “The Soul of Man Under Socialism” (1891)
On Wit & Paradox
Wilde’s paradoxes upend conventional thinking, making us see life in new ways.
I can resist everything except temptation.
— Oscar Wilde, “Lady Windermere’s Fan” (1892)
Why it resonates: Classic Wilde—clever, subversive, and memorable.
To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.
— Oscar Wilde, “The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895)
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
— Oscar Wilde, “The Value of Disbelief” (1894)
What Oscar Wilde Leaves Behind
Oscar Wilde’s quotes remain vibrant and relevant, offering laughter, insight, and inspiration for every generation. His wisdom reminds us to live bravely, love deeply, and never be afraid to be ourselves.
