“ Ideals are dangerous things. Realities are better. They wound, but they’re better. ”
Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan (1893). copy citation
| Author | Oscar Wilde |
|---|---|
| Source | Lady Windermere's Fan |
| Topic | reality wound ideals |
| Date | 1893 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/790/790-h/790-h.htm |
Context
“[Pause.] You are devoted to your mother's memory, Lady Windermere, your husband tells me.
Lady Windermere. We all have ideals in life. At least we all should have. Mine is my mother.
Mrs. Erlynne. Ideals are dangerous things. Realities are better. They wound, but they're better.
Lady Windermere. [Shaking her head.] If I lost my ideals, I should lose everything.
Mrs. Erlynne. Everything?
Lady Windermere. Yes.” source
Lady Windermere. We all have ideals in life. At least we all should have. Mine is my mother.
Mrs. Erlynne. Ideals are dangerous things. Realities are better. They wound, but they're better.
Lady Windermere. [Shaking her head.] If I lost my ideals, I should lose everything.
Mrs. Erlynne. Everything?
Lady Windermere. Yes.” source
Meaning and analysis
