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About this quote

What does it mean?
He dismisses a work as overly sentimental or 'scented'.
In plain terms
He says he never liked his work because it was too scented.
What can you take from it?
Overly sentimental art can be off‑putting.

Where it applies

  • gallery visits
  • book reviews

Putting it to work

  • trust personal taste over popular opinion

Questions to consider

  • What does 'scented' imply about style?
  • When does sentiment become excessive?

Another view

The comment is vague and may be an inside joke.

More from Oscar Wilde

  1. Work is the curse of the drinking classes.

    Permalink to quote #242
  2. An Assyrian wax statue, effeminate, but with the vitality of twenty men.

    Permalink to quote #244
  3. Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.

    Permalink to quote #241

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