The Picture of Dorian Gray

"the costume of the nineteenth century is detestable. It is so sombre, so depressing. Sin is the only real colour-element left in modern life."

Men marry because they are tired; women, because they are curious: both are disappointed."

"My dear boy, no woman is a genius. Women are a decorative sex. They never have anything to say, but they say it charmingly. Women represent the triumph of matter over mind, just as men represent the triumph of mind over morals."

The commonest thing is delightful if one only hides it.

It often happens that the real tragedies of life occur in such an inartistic manner that they hurt us by their crude violence, their absolute incoherence, their absurd want of meaning, their entire lack of style.

Youth! Youth! There is absolutely nothing in the world but youth!"

The past could always be annihilated. Regret, denial, or forgetfulness could do that. But the future was inevitable.

Experience was of no ethical value. It was merely the name men gave to their mistakes.

When we blame ourselves, we feel that no one else has a right to blame us.

I represent to you all the sins you have never had the courage to commit."