Dead man Quote by Oscar Wilde
““I know a flower that grows in the valley, none knows it but I. It has purple leaves, and a star in its heart, and its juice is as white as milk. Should’st thou touch with this flower the hard lips of the Queen, she would follow thee all over the world. Out of the bed of the King she would rise, and over the whole world she would follow thee. And it has a price, pretty boy, it has a price. What d’ye lack? What d’ye lack? I can pound a toad in a mortar, and make broth of it, and stir the broth with a dead man’s hand. Sprinkle it on thine enemy while he sleeps, and he will turn into a black viper, and his own mother will slay him. With a wheel I can draw the Moon from heaven, and in a crystal I can show thee Death. What d’ye lack? What d’ye lack? Tell me thy desire, and I will give it thee, and thou shalt pay me a price, pretty boy, thou shalt pay me a price.””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895
A flamboyant, magical barter where the speaker offers impossible powers for a price, highlighting desire, temptation, and the cost of wishes.
In simple terms: A mysterious figure offers magical favors for a price, warning of hidden costs.
Key Takeaway
Beware bargains that seem too good to be true.
Themes
temptation
power
consequences
magic
desire
Mood
cautious
enigmatic
dark
Type
cautionary
mythic
dramatic
When to use this quote
- Romantic pursuit
- political intrigue
- personal ambition
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
Faustian pact
mythic symbolism
alchemy
Questions to Reflect On
- What are you willing to sacrifice for power?
- How do you recognize a true cost behind a tempting offer?
A Different Perspective
The promised powers are fantastical and unrealistic, making the offer dubious.
