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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wilde warns that pretending to be wicked while actually being good is hypocritical.
In plain terms
Pretending to be bad while being good is hypocrisy.
What can you take from it?
Be authentic in your behavior.

Where it applies

  • social interactions
  • personal relationships

Putting it to work

  • align actions with true values
  • avoid false personas

Questions to consider

  • What motivates people to hide their goodness?
  • Is hypocrisy always negative?

Another view

The line blurs moral judgment with social performance.

More from Oscar Wilde

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