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QUOTATIONS Oscar Wilde is not only one of the most quoted of authors, he is one of the most quotable people of all time. In books of quotations the frequency of Wilde's words is usually exceeded only by those of Shakespeare and the Bible. Therefore, at OWSOA we shall restrict ourselves appropriately to quotations Wilde's made in or about America. In keeping with the reference standards of our library, and unlike most Internet sites, all quotations are scrupulously attributed, and usually hyperlinked to a separate note describing the source. For an interesting look at the genealogy of
false attribution see:
By the by, do you know, I was very much disappointed
in the Atlantic Ocean.
I have nothing to
declare except my genius.
In America the young are always ready to give to those who are older than
themselves the full benefits of their inexperience.
America has never quite forgiven Europe for having been discovered somewhat
earlier in history than itself.
She behaves as if she was beautiful. Most American women do. It is the
secret of their charm.
'Perhaps, after
all, America has never been discovered,' said Mr Erskine. 'I myself would
say that it had merely been detected.'
The youth of
America is their oldest tradition. It has been going on now for three
hundred years.
We have really
everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language.
In America the President reigns for four years,
and Journalism governs for ever and ever. America is the first country to
have gone from barbarism to decadence without the usual intervening period of
civilization. America had often been
discovered before Columbus, but it had always been hushed up. I see about me certain signs of an aesthetic movement.
I see certain young men, who are no doubt sincere, but I can assure them that
they are no more than caricatures. As I look around me, I am impelled for the
first time to breathe a fervent prayer, 'Save me from my disciples.' But rather
let me, as Wordsworth says, 'turn me from those bold, bad men.' |
