Everything is dangerous, my dear fellow. If it wasn't so, life wouldn't be worth living.
Oscar WildeRead
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often conceal their true selves when speaking directly; anonymity can reveal their honesty.
This quote by Oscar Wilde suggests that individuals often hide their true thoughts and feelings when engaging in conversation as their real selves. However, when provided with a 'mask' or anonymity, they are more likely to express their genuine beliefs and truths, indicating the complexities of human nature and the impact of societal expectations on personal expression.
Themes
TruthIdentitySelfMaskExpressionHonesty
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about authenticity and self-expression.
More from Oscar Wilde
All quotes βLondon is too full of fogs and serious people. Whether the fogs produce the serious people, or whether the serious people produce the fogs, I don't know.
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When one has never heard a man's name in the course of one's life, it speaks volumes for him; he must be quite respectable.
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Men always want to be a woman's first love - women like to be a man's last romance.
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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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