--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Oscar Wilde once said that to live is the…" description: "\"Oscar Wilde once said that to live is the rarest thing in the world, because most people just exist, and that's all. I don't know if he's right, but I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bc/anonymous-1_exist_oscar-wilde-once-said-that-to-live-is-th_441265.jpg" --- # Oscar Wilde once said that to live is the rarest thing in… ![“Oscar Wilde once said that to live is the rarest thing in the world, because most people just exist, and that's all. I don't know if he's right, but I do know that I spend a long time existing, and now, I intend to live.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bc/anonymous-1_exist_oscar-wilde-once-said-that-to-live-is-th_441265.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bc/anonymous-1_exist_oscar-wilde-once-said-that-to-live-is-th_441265.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bc/anonymous-1_exist_oscar-wilde-once-said-that-to-live-is-th_441265.jpg) > “Oscar Wilde once said that to live is the rarest thing in the world, because most people just exist, and that's all. I don't know if he's right, but I do know that I spend a long time existing, and now, I intend to live.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts merely existing with truly living, urging purposeful, vibrant engagement with life. **In simple terms:** Living means purposeful action, not just existing. Key Takeaway Choose active, meaningful experiences. Themes purpose existence vitality Mood reflective inspired Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career decisions - personal projects - relationships - travel Key Concepts philosophy self‑realization Questions to Reflect On - What does “living” look like for you? - How can you shift from existing to living? A Different Perspective It may overlook practical constraints that limit active living. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Oscars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oscars/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Oscar Wilde said that the gods punish us in two ways: first, they don't give us what we want, then, they do. He forgot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perry-brass/oscar-wilde-said-that-the-gods-punish-us-in-two-ways-first-they-don-t/) [Perry Brass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perry-brass/) > [The Chinese general Sun Tzu said that all war was based on deception. Oscar Wilde said the same thing of romance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-tempest/the-chinese-general-sun-tzu-said-that-all-war-was-based-on-deception/) [Marco Tempest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-tempest/) > [You know what Oscar Wilde said, ma'am? He said, "nothing that is worth knowing can be taught". Nothing personal, ma'am... Carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schulz/you-know-what-oscar-wilde-said-ma-am-he-said-nothing-that-is-worth/) [Charles M. Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schulz/) > [As Oscar Wilde should have said, when bad ideas have nowhere else to go, they emigrate to America and become university courses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-raphael/as-oscar-wilde-should-have-said-when-bad-ideas-have-nowhere-else-to/) [Frederic Raphael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-raphael/) > [“Oscar Wilde said: 'Biography lends to death a new terror.' Well, memoir adds that same promise to parenting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oscar-wilde-said-biography-lends-to-death-a-new-terror-well-memoir/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many people exist, but to live is the rarest thing in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-people-exist-but-to-live-is-the-rarest-thing-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-live-is-the-rarest-thing-in-the-world-most-people-exist-that-is-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Oscar Wilde said the rich and the poor are equal - they can both sleep under the bridge. Right? Do they have a right?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-lewis/oscar-wilde-said-the-rich-and-the-poor-are-equal-they-can-both-sleep/) [Al Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-lewis/) > [“Oscar Wilde said it's never the question that's indiscreet, only the answers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/oscar-wilde-said-it-s-never-the-question-that-s-indiscreet-only-the/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [I remember when I posed as a customs officer so that I could meet Oscar Wilde. I said to him "Have you anything to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-munnery/i-remember-when-i-posed-as-a-customs-officer-so-that-i-could-meet/) [Simon Munnery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-munnery/) > [“- Oscar Wilde said that we always destroy the thing we love the most. And it is true. The simple possibility of achieving that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/oscar-wilde-said-that-we-always-destroy-the-thing-we-love-the-most/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [To live is the rarest thing in the world, most people just exsist, thats all](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-b/to-live-is-the-rarest-thing-in-the-world-most-people-just-exsist/) Maddie\_b > [To live is the most rarest thing in the world;most people exist,that is all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-live-is-the-most-rarest-thing-in-the-world-most-people-exist-that/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [To live is the rarest thing in this world , most people exist>That's all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaygee/to-live-is-the-rarest-thing-in-this-world-most-people-exist-that-s-all/) [KayGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaygee/) > [Oscar Wilde said that sunsets were not valued because we could not pay for sunsets. But Oscar Wilde was wrong; we can pay for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oscar-wilde-said-that-sunsets-were-not-valued-because-we-could-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Exist quotes > [A vacuum can only exist, I imagine, by the things which enclose it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zelda-fitzgerald/a-vacuum-can-only-exist-i-imagine-by-the-things-which-enclose-it/) [Zelda Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zelda-fitzgerald/) > [No creature can attain a higher grade of nature without ceasing to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/no-creature-can-attain-a-higher-grade-of-nature-without-ceasing-to/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [You would not exist if you did not have something to bring to the table of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-hancock/you-would-not-exist-if-you-did-not-have-something-to-bring-to-the/) [Herbie Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-hancock/) > [I don't believe in moral victories. I don't think in pro ball they exist, and they shouldn't exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-witten/i-don-t-believe-in-moral-victories-i-don-t-think-in-pro-ball-they/) [Jason Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-witten/) > [She might be without country, without nation, but inside her there was still a being that could exist and be free, that could simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-maas/she-might-be-without-country-without-nation-but-inside-her-there-was/) [Sharon Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-maas/) > [“Must a people disappear for us to know they exist? Mano Dayak”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mano-dayak/must-a-people-disappear-for-us-to-know-they-exist-mano-dayak/) Mano Dayak > [A monkey is unaware that atoms exist. Likewise, our brainpower may not stretch to the deepest aspects of reality. The bedrock nature of space…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/a-monkey-is-unaware-that-atoms-exist-likewise-our-brainpower-may-not/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [“And then again, maybe people and things are the same as emotions: Even when you can't see them or feel them or be with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-henriquez/and-then-again-maybe-people-and-things-are-the-same-as-emotions-even/) [Cristina Henriquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-henriquez/) > [When you rely on incentives, you undermine virtues. Then when you discover that you actually need people who want to do the right thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-schwartz/when-you-rely-on-incentives-you-undermine-virtues-then-when-you/) [Barry Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-schwartz/) > [When good media takes a bounded form, and comes once in a period of time, it begs to be consumed as a whole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/when-good-media-takes-a-bounded-form-and-comes-once-in-a-period-of/) [John Battelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-battelle/) > [“Human race had never planned to show up in this universe. I wonder whether current human efforts are relevant to its sustainability.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/human-race-had-never-planned-to-show-up-in-this-universe-i-wonder/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [If you ask why I do what I do - I want to make a difference. I don't just want to maintain the status…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-broad/if-you-ask-why-i-do-what-i-do-i-want-to-make-a-difference-i-don-t/) [Eli Broad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-broad/) > [Happiness, I do not know where to turn to discover you on earth, in the air or the sky; yet I know you exist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalia-de-castro/happiness-i-do-not-know-where-to-turn-to-discover-you-on-earth-in-the/) [Rosalia de Castro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalia-de-castro/) > [Is when you can not exist without your loves smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff/is-when-you-can-not-exist-without-your-loves-smile/) Jeff > [Liberty does not exist where rights are on one side and power on the other. To be liberty, rights must be armed with vital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucius-quintus-cincinnatus-lamar-ii/liberty-does-not-exist-where-rights-are-on-one-side-and-power-on-the/) [Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucius-quintus-cincinnatus-lamar-ii/) Browse all 2,297 Exist quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Oscar Wilde once said that to live is the rarest thing in the world, because most people just exist, and that's all. 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