Skip to content

Mary Farquhar, who always flirts with her own husband…

“Mary Farquhar, who always flirts with her own husband across the dinner-table. That is not very pleasant. Indeed, it is not even decent . . . and that sort of thing is enormously on the increase. The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous. It looks so…” quote by Oscar Wilde
Download Open image
““Mary Farquhar, who always flirts with her own husband across the dinner-table. That is not very pleasant. Indeed, it is not even decent . . . and that sort of thing is enormously on the increase. The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous. It looks so bad. It is simply washing one's clean linen in public...””

Oscar Wilde

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Publicly exposing private marital issues erodes decorum and dignity, reflecting societal decline in modesty.

In simple terms: Public scandal harms personal dignity.

Key Takeaway

Respect privacy, avoid public shaming.

Themes

privacy modesty social norms marriage public scandal

Mood

witty critical

Type

satirical social commentary

When to use this quote

  • family gatherings
  • media
  • social media
  • community standards

Key Concepts

social etiquette gender dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is it appropriate to discuss private matters publicly?
  • How does humor affect perception of scandal?
A Different Perspective

Cultural attitudes evolve, making judgments fluid.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Oscar Wilde

Explore all 3,343 Oscar Wilde quotes

More Flirting quotes

Browse all 943 Flirting quotes