He made me see what Life is, and what Death signifies, and why Love is stronger than both.

The well bred contradict other people. The wise contradict themselves.

The condition of perfection is idleness: the aim of perfection is youth.

For us there is only one season, the season of sorrow. The very sun and moon seem taken from us.

Cecily. This is no time for wearing the shallow mask of manners. When I see a spade I call it a spade. Gwendolen. [Satirically.] I am glad to say that I have never seen a spade. It is obvious that our social spheres have been widely different.

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.

Those who try to lead the people can only do so by following the mob. It is through the voice of one crying in the wilderness that the ways of the gods must be prepared.