Category Archives: Wilde Aphorisms

by Macie Harkovich No artist has ethical sympathies. An ethical sympathy in an ethical is an unpardonable mannerism of style. All art is at once surface and symbol.       I disagree with this aphorism in the sense that Oscar … Continue reading →

  Diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work of art is new, complex, and vital. I agree with this aphorism strongly. I think that this is very true because the world around us is only … Continue reading →

All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. … Continue reading →

By: Alyssa Brunner       The aphorism, “Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope,” was the initial phrase that stood out to me. Within this, there are several things to … Continue reading →

By Juliet Pantoulis “Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are cultivated.”   I disagree with Wilde on this statement as I actually believe the opposite; I think that if someone is only able to find beauty in things … Continue reading →

by Kai McKoy on October 13 2023 All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Above is a quote from Oscar Wilde, a controversial poet and novelist, enticing the … Continue reading →

“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.” I think this has a lot to do with what is going on in the world right now, … Continue reading →

Rachel Reid “ Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope” “ It is the spectator and not life that art really mirrors” In reference to the first aphorism, I agree with … Continue reading →

“Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault.” The aphorism that stood out to me the most in Wilde’s novel was, “Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt … Continue reading →

Diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work is new, complex, and vital.  The above aphorism from the Preface of The Picture of Dorian Gray claims that art that causes disagreement among critics is new, complex, … Continue reading →