The systems that fail are those that rely on the permanency of human nature, and not its growth and development.

The value of an idea has nothing whatever to do with the sincerity of the man who expresses it.

Actual life was chaos, but there was something terribly logical in the imagination. It was the imagination that set remorse to dog the feet of sin. It was the imagination that made each crime bear its misshapen brood. In the common world of fact the wicked were not punished, nor the good rewarded. Success was given to the strong, failure thrust upon the weak. That was all.

When asked what he thought of sports, Oscar Wilde replied, "I approve of any activity that requires the wearing of special clothing.

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

A writer is someone who has taught his mind to misbehave.

Duty is what one expects from others.