Oscar Wilde Quotes

Virtue is relative to the actions and ages of each of us in all that we do.

In the age of the individual's liquidation, the question of individuality must be raised anew.

For when morality is strictly up to the individual, with no judgment possible by communities it is likely that everyone will do what is right in his own eyes.... America will then become a land composed of strangers whose religion, if any, is a private matter, and who are bound by no social ties or common aspirations.

Laws are often made to express collective ethical principles, to establish a climate of opinion …

I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.

Moral philosophy is nothing else but the science of what is good, and evil, in the conversation, and society of mankind. Good, and evil, are names that signify our appetites, and aversions; which in different tempers, customs, and doctrines of men, are different.

Remember that what's right isn't always popular, and what's popular isn't always right.

Do you know what morals are? Morals are an obedience to rules that people laid down to help you live among them.

Morality is either a social contract or you have to pay cash.

The man who gives his own decisions priority over society is a criminal.

Don't consider our interests or desires. You have no duty to anyone but yourself.

Well, I believe in the idea of 'normal' in the way that I believe in the idea of logic. Or the idea of character. All of these ethical constructs are just that: constructs.

I'm a very individualistic person. That is why I don't belong to any political party or anything. I really believe in justice and freedom.

Modern morality is all about perception.

I am not in this world to live up to other people's expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine.

In America, it is difficult to be your own man.

You can't legislate morality.

We have built our State on the freedom of personal adventure.

I am definitely an individual.

I appreciate individualism.

Reason cannot establish values, and its belief that it can is the stupidiest and most pernicious illusion.

When I grew up, there were common patterns to people's lives. Now everybody is just making it up as they go along.

Conventionality is not morality.

I am a rank individualist.

You kind of create your own moral universe. It's like, well, I like myself. If other people don't like me, then whatever. I'm out of here.