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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wilde claims a man can be happy with any woman as long as he does not love her, implying love complicates happiness.
In plain terms
He says a man can be happy with any woman if he doesn't love her.
What can you take from it?
Emotional detachment can simplify contentment.

Where it applies

  • casual relationships
  • short-term dating

Putting it to work

  • maintaining emotional boundaries
  • prioritizing personal freedom

Questions to consider

  • Can happiness exist without love?
  • What are the costs of emotional detachment?

Another view

This ignores the depth and fulfillment that love can bring.

More from Oscar Wilde

  1. Women love us for our defects. If we have enough of them, they will forgive us everything, even our intellects.

    Permalink to quote #96
  2. It is perfectly monstrous the way people go about nowadays saying things against one behind one's back that are absolutely and entirely true.

    Permalink to quote #98
  3. When a woman marries again, it is because she detested her first husband. When a man marries again, it is because he adored his first wife. Women try their luc…

    Permalink to quote #95

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