The people who love only once in their lives are really the shallow people. What they call their loyalty, and their fidelity, I call either the lethargy of custom or their lack of imagination. Faithfulness is to the emotional life what consistency is to the life of the intellect - simply a confession of failure.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Loyalty and fidelity are shallow, akin to intellectual consistency, reflecting failure.
- In plain terms
- Loyalty and fidelity are shallow, like consistency, showing failure.
- What can you take from it?
- Seek depth and imagination over mere loyalty.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does loyalty become shallow?
- How can I balance fidelity with growth?
Another view
Loyalty can also be a strength when grounded in genuine care.
More from Oscar Wilde
Experience was of no ethical value. It was merely the name men gave to their mistakes.
Permalink to quote #81 Punctuality is the thief of time.
Permalink to quote #83 People are very fond of giving away what they need most themselves.
Permalink to quote #80
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