Everything is dangerous, my dear fellow. If it wasn't so, life wouldn't be worth living.
Oscar WildeRead
The artistic life is a long, lovely suicide.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the paradox of an artist's existence, suggesting that the pursuit of beauty can lead to despair.
Oscar Wilde's quote encapsulates the struggle of the artist, who often navigates between the creation of beauty and the pain that accompanies it. The phrase 'long, lovely suicide' evokes a sense of devotion to art that can be both fulfilling and ultimately self-destructive, as artists may sacrifice their own wellbeing for the sake of their craft. This tension highlights the bittersweet nature of the artistic endeavor, where the pursuit of passion can lead to personal trials and emotional turmoil.
Themes
ArtisticLifeSacrificeBeautyDespair
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the challenges of being an artist.
More from Oscar Wilde
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A truth ceases to be true when more than one person believes in it.
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His morality is all sympathy, just what morality should be
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