Oscar Wilde died on 30 November 1900. He was 46 years old.
Oscar Wilde by Napoleon Sarony
“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”-Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince and Other Stories
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”-Oscar Wilde
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
He was so right…huge difference between existing and living:)
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Absolutely! I think that he probably knew how to live better than most of us.
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He was so brilliant and his story is so tragic.
On a lighter note, I named my cat after him.
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I loved pets who are named after dead writers!
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Briliant man. Supposedly his last words were: “Either this wallpaper goes or I do.”
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I’ve read that before; ‘twould be lovely if true.
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Yes, he actually said it, or words like it, a few weeks before his death. But it makes a good story. Sorry for the typo above. I meant brilliant, of course.
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I’m glad it’s not apocryphal. That makes me happy for some reason.
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The second quote always disappoints me and reminds me of the fallibilities of the greats, particularly the charming greats. Genuine, truth seeking, magical, hard lives are everywhere. If I buy in to the quote, I get to feel that Oscar and I are in that “rarest” group. No one reads that quote and thinks they are in the “existing” group. It’s just a demonstration of Wilde’s ennui with the people he surrounded himself with, and gives the impression that he was feeling petty that day.
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I think this quote speaks to people for another, simpler reason than to make them feel like special snowflakes. It is a reminder to enjoy life and its small pleasures, that there is something more to living than being caught up in the whirl and rush of everyday existence. It says, “Slow down, don’t miss things, enjoy the moment.” Although Wilde was jaded and self-involved (and surely believed that he lived in rarefied air, far above the rabble of humanity), that matters not a whit when it comes to modern interpretation. If this quote reminds people that life is precious, I am okay with that.
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‘To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all’
how brilliant and prophetic,
ty for posting this maedez.
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It was my pleasure! Thanks for stopping by.
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One of my all-time favourite quotes: “I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”
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He was a hoot and a half, to be sure!
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Now honestly, you would think that it wouldn’t have taken me, what, say six months or so of appreciating your comments over at Beguiling to come and say Hello properly but it did. Sigh. At least I am signed up now to follow.
Bon Dimanche,
Heather
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It’s very nice to meet you, Heather. I’ve actually noticed your comments on Beguiling, too. Thanks for stopping by ASPL. Please make yourself at home!
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Oscar Wilde is still one of my favorite authors. In fact, when I’m suffering from writer’s block, I pull out my dog-eared copy of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and read a few pages to get me started again. In fact, your post prompted me to pull that book again. Thank you so much!
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It’s my pleasure. I’m glad this post inspired you to return to The Picture of Dorian Gray yet again. There is nothing quite like re-reading a favourite!
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I could listen to his witticisms and wisdoms from morning to night. 🙂
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Me, too. I especially enjoy reading Oscar Wilde when I am in the mood for a bit of high brow snark. 🙂
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