Bullied Quote by Oscar Wilde
“He was a hero to his valet, who bullied him, and a terror to most of his relations, whom he bullied in turn. Only England could have produced him, and he always said that the country was going to the dogs. His principles were out of date, but there was a good deal to be said for his prejudices.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, 1895
Wilde satirically portrays a man whose contradictory traits—heroic to some, tyrannical to others—reflect societal contradictions and outdated values.
In simple terms: Contradictory nature reveals societal flaws.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and critique hypocrisy.
Themes
satire
contradiction
social critique
class
prejudice
Mood
witty
critical
Type
dramatic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Political discourse
- family dynamics
- personal relationships
- cultural analysis
Key Concepts
Victorian hypocrisy
human complexity
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do contradictions shape personal identity?
- Can satire effectively drive social change?
A Different Perspective
Wilde’s humor may mask serious social issues.
![“I will perform the function of a whetstone, which is about to restore sharpness to iron, though itself unable to cut. [Lat., Fungar vice cotis, acutum Reddere quae ferrum valet, exsors ipsi secandi.]” quote by Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cd7/horace-172_action_i-will-perform-the-function-of-a-whetsto_847629.jpg)
![“Rarely do they appear great before their valets. [Fr., Rarement ils sont grands vis-a-vis de leur valets-de-chambre.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d99/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_greatness_rarely-do-they-appear-great-before-their_727265.jpg)
