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About this quote

What does it mean?
He astonishes himself; that is the only thing that makes life worth living.
In plain terms
Self‑astonishment is his sole source of life's worth.
What can you take from it?
Find wonder in yourself to give life meaning.

Where it applies

  • personal development
  • creative work

Putting it to work

  • trying new challenges
  • reflective journaling

Questions to consider

  • What astonishes you?
  • Does external meaning matter?

Another view

Self‑astonishment can be fleeting and self‑absorbed.

More from Oscar Wilde

  1. Now-a-days it is only the unreadable that occurs.

    Permalink to quote #140
  2. I suppose society is wonderfully delightful. To be in it is merely a bore. But to be out of it simply a tragedy.

    Permalink to quote #142
  3. Lord Illingworth: The Book of Life begins with a man and a woman in a garden. Mrs. Allonby: It ends with Revelations.

    Permalink to quote #139

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