Quotes With Meaning
I am less to you than your ivory Hermes or your silver Faun. You will like them always. How long will you like me? Till I have my first wrinkle, I suppose. I know, now, that when one loses one's good looks, whatever they may be, one loses everything. Your picture has taught me that. Lord Henry Wotton is perfectly right. Youth is the only thing worth having. When I find that I am growing old, I shall kill myself.
I am less to you than your ivory Hermes or your silver Faun. You will like them always. How long will you like me? Till I have my first wrinkle, I suppose. I know, now, that when one loses one's good looks, whatever they may be, one loses everything. Your picture has taught me that. Lord Henry Wotton is perfectly right. Youth is the only thing worth having. When I find that I am growing old, I shall kill myself.
This quote reflects the deep concern Wilde expresses regarding youth and beauty as central to one’s value in society. The speaker feels overshadowed by material possessions, like the 'ivory Hermes' and 'silver Faun,' which are appreciated for their aesthetic qualities. There is a poignant realization that physical appearance is fleeting and that love and admiration may diminish as one ages. The reference to wrinkles symbolizes the inevitable decline that comes with aging, leading to a feeling of worthlessness. Wilde’s assertion that losing looks equates to losing everything highlights a societal obsession with youth. Ultimately, the quote emphasizes the burdens of vanity and the fear of aging, raising questions about the true sources of self-worth and happiness. It suggests that a mindset fixated on external beauty can lead to despair, urging a deeper inquiry into what makes life meaningful beyond mere appearances.