For the canons of good society are, or should be, the same as the canons of art. Form is absolutely essential to it.

Fathers should be neither seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for family life.

As one knows the poet by his fine music, so one can recognize the liar by his rich rhythmic utterance, and in neither case will the casual inspiration of the moment suffice. Here, as elsewhere, practice must precede perfection.

The man who says he has exhausted life generally means that life has exhausted him.

The longer I live, Dorian, the more keenly I feel that whatever was good enough for our fathers is not good enough for us. In art, as in politics, les grand-pères ont toujours tort.

Alone, and without any reference to his neighbours, without any interference, the artist can fashion a beautiful thing; and if he does not do it solely for his own pleasure, he is not an artist at all.

It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious.