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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wilde suggests he lived his life as a performance, even when fate disrupted his plans.
In plain terms
He kept acting his life despite unexpected changes.
What can you take from it?
Life can be treated as a stage, even when things go off script.

Where it applies

  • creative work
  • personal setbacks

Putting it to work

  • maintaining composure when plans fall apart

Questions to consider

  • Is it healthy to view life as a performance?
  • When does performance become denial?

Another view

It romanticizes ignoring genuine hardship.

More from Oscar Wilde

  1. An Assyrian wax statue, effeminate, but with the vitality of twenty men.

    Permalink to quote #244
  2. What has Oscar in common with Art? except that he dines at our tables and picks from our platter the plums for the puddings he peddles in the provinces.

    Permalink to quote #246
  3. No, I've never cared for his work. Too scented.

    Permalink to quote #243

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