Цитаты из книги Portretul lui Dorian Gray

It is a sad thing to think of, but there is no doubt that Genius lasts longer than Beauty.

that there are only two eras of any importance in the history of the world. The first is the appearance of a new medium for art, and the second is the appearance of a new personality for art also.

I couldn’t be happy if I didn’t see him every day. Of course sometimes it is only for a few minutes. But a few minutes with somebody one worships mean a great deal.’

I like persons better than principles

the more insincere the man is, the more purely intellectual will the idea be, as in that case it will not be colored by either his wants, his desires, or his prejudices

"Никогда не люби никого, кто обращается с тобой, будто ты обычный"

— Дорогой мой, — сказал лорд Генри, улыбаясь, — в деревне всякий может быть хорошим. Там нет искушений. Вот почему люди, не живущие в городах, всегда так страшно нецивилизован! Цивилизации не так-то легко достигнуть; для этого существует только два способа: культура и развращенность. Деревенские жители не имеют доступа ни к тому, ни к другому, потому-то они и застаиваются.

Poets are not so scrupulous as you are. They know how useful passion is for publication. Nowadays a broken heart will run to many editions.

Люблю театр. Он гораздо более настоящий, чем реальная жизнь.

На войне сильные превращают в рабов слабых, а в мирное время, богатые превращают в рабов бедняков.

— В наши дни мы переплачиваем за все. Пожалуй, истинная трагедия бедняков заключается в том, что они не могут позволить себе ничего, кроме самоотречения. Красивые пороки, как и красивые вещи, — привилегия богачей.

When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed, when I am in really great trouble, as anyone who knows me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except food and drink. At the present moment I am eating muffins because I am unhappy. Besides, I am particularly fond of muffins.

Gwendolen Five counties! I don’t think I should like that; I hate crowds. Сecily Sweetly. I suppose that is why you live in town?

Uncle Jack is sending you to Australia. Algernon Australia! I’d sooner die. Cecily Well, he said at dinner on Wednesday night, that you would have to choose between this world, the next world, and Australia.

Algernon I hope tomorrow will be a fine day, Lane. Lane It never is, sir. Algernon Lane, you’re a perfect pessimist. Lane I do my best to give satisfaction, sir.

Algernon What shall we do after dinner? Go to a theatre? Jack Oh no! I loathe listening. Algernon Well, let us go to the Club? Jack Oh, no! I hate talking. Algernon Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten? Jack Oh, no! I can’t bear looking at things. It is so silly. Algernon Well, what shall we do? Jack Nothing!

To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.

When you do become engaged to someone, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact. An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself …

Literary criticism is not your forte, my dear fellow. Don’t try it. You should leave that to people who haven’t been at a University. They do it so well in the daily papers.

You have always told me it was Ernest. I have introduced you to everyone 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. It’s on your cards.