All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work is new, complex and vital. - Oscar Wilde
America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. - Oscar Wilde
Arguments are extremely vulgar, for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion. - Oscar Wilde
Art never harms itself by keeping aloof from the social problems of the day: rather, by so doing, it more completely realises for us that which we desire. - Oscar Wilde
As long as a woman can look ten years younger than her own daughter, she is perfectly satisfied. - Oscar Wilde
As long as war is regarded as wicked, it will always have its fascination. When it is looked upon as vulgar, it will cease to be popular. - Oscar Wilde
Bad people are, from the point of view of art, fascinating studies. They represent colour, variety and strangeness. Good people exasperate one's reason; bad people stir one's imagination. - Oscar Wilde
Beauty has as many meanings as man has moods. Beauty is the symbol of symbols. Beauty reveals everything, because it expresses nothing. When it shows us itself, it shows us the whole fiery-coloured world. - Oscar Wilde
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