Oscar Wilde Earnest Quotes & Sayings

My dear fellow, the way you flirt with Gwendolen is perfectly disgraceful. It is almost as disgraceful as the way Gwendolen flirts with you. — Oscar Wilde

There is something in that name that seems to inspire absolute confidence. I pity any poor woman whose husband is not called Ernest. — Oscar Wilde

What between the duties expected of one during one's lifetime, and the duties exacted from one after one's death, land has ceased to be either a profit or a pleasure. It gives one position, and prevents one from keeping it up. That's all that can be said about land. — Oscar Wilde

An admirable idea! Mr. Worthing, there is just one question I would like to be permitted to put to you. Where is your brother Ernest? We are both engaged to be married to your brother Ernest, so it is a matter of some importance to us to know where your brother Ernest is at present. — Oscar Wilde

I've now realised for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Earnest. — Oscar Wilde

And certainly once a man begins to neglect his domestic duties he becomes painfully effeminate, does he not? And I don't like that. It makes men so very attractive. — Oscar Wilde

The importance of being earnest, — Oscar Wilde

You have always told me it was Ernest. I have introduced you to every one as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd your saying that your name isn't Ernest. — Oscar Wilde

Well, I don't like your clothes. You look perfectly ridiculous in them. Why on earth don't you go up and change? It's perfectly childish to be in mourning for a man who is actually staying a whole week with you in your house as a guest. I call it grotesque. — Oscar Wilde

If I am occasionally a little over-dressed, I make up for it by being always immensely over-educated. — Oscar Wilde

I am afraid it is quite clear, Cecily, that neither of us is engaged to be married to any one. — Oscar Wilde

More than half of modern culture depends upon what one shouldn't read. — Oscar Wilde