“ One can survive everything nowadays, except death, and live down anything except a good reputation. ”
Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance (1893). copy citation
| Author | Oscar Wilde |
|---|---|
| Source | A Woman of No Importance |
| Topic | death reputation living |
| Date | 1893 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/854/854-h/854-h.htm |
Context
“I have not noticed it.
Lord Illingworth. How fortunate! It might have been a tragedy for both of us.
Mrs. Allonby. We should each have survived.
Lord Illingworth. One can survive everything nowadays, except death, and live down anything except a good reputation.
Mrs. Allonby. Have you tried a good reputation?
Lord Illingworth. It is one of the many annoyances to which I have never been subjected.
Mrs. Allonby. It may come.
” source
Lord Illingworth. How fortunate! It might have been a tragedy for both of us.
Mrs. Allonby. We should each have survived.
Lord Illingworth. One can survive everything nowadays, except death, and live down anything except a good reputation.
Mrs. Allonby. Have you tried a good reputation?
Lord Illingworth. It is one of the many annoyances to which I have never been subjected.
Mrs. Allonby. It may come.
” source
Meaning and analysis
