Quote by Oscar Wilde

Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty. There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.

Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt

Summary

This quote by Oscar Wilde highlights the different ways people perceive beauty and art. Those who see ugliness in beautiful things are portrayed as morally corrupt, lacking the ability to appreciate aesthetics. On the other hand, those who glean beauty and meaning from beautiful things are considered cultured and hopeful. Wilde suggests that beauty should be appreciated purely for its aesthetic value, dismissing the idea of moral judgment upon art. He asserts that the quality of a book lies solely in its writing, and not in any moral stance it may take.

Topics

Morality Books Reading Writing

By Oscar Wilde

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