I wonder who it was defined man as a rational animal. It was the most premature definition ever given. Man is many things, but he is not rational.

Life is terrible. It rules us, we do not rule it.

MRS ALLONBY Is she such a mystery? LORD ILLINGWORTH She is more than a mystery - she is a mood. MRS ALLONBY Moods don't last. LORD ILLINGWORTH It is their chief charm.

It is only by not paying one's bills that one can hope to live in the memory of the commercial classes.

As for the virtuous poor, one can pity them of course, but one cannot possibly admire them.

The best way to enjoy your job is to imagine yourself without one.

There are moments when art attains almost to the dignity of manual labor.