Everything is dangerous, my dear fellow. If it wasn't so, life wouldn't be worth living.
Oscar WildeRead
There is something tragic about the enormous number of young men there are in England at the present moment who start life with perfect profiles, and end by adopting some useful profession.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the loss of potential in young men who start with great promise but settle for practicality in their careers.
Oscar Wilde's quote highlights the tragedy of wasted potential, particularly among young men in England, who begin their lives with the advantage of idealism and ambition but often feel compelled to conform to societal expectations by choosing practical professions. It suggests a critique of how society can stifle individuality and creativity, pressing individuals to abandon their dreams for stability and usefulness in their careers.
Themes
PotentialSocietyCareerIndividualityAmbition
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a graduation speech to encourage students to pursue their passions.
More from Oscar Wilde
All quotes →London 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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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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