Bruises Quote by Oscar Wilde
“With subtle and finely-wrought temperaments it is always so. Their strong passions must either bruise or bend. They either slay the man, or themselves die. Shallow sorrows and shallow loves live on. The loves and the sorrows that are great are destroyed by their own plenitude.”
About This Quote
Source Play: A Woman of No Importance, 1893
Intense emotions can overwhelm, leading to self-destruction or harming others; shallow feelings persist, while profound ones collapse under their own weight.
In simple terms: Strong feelings can ruin you or others; shallow feelings survive.
Key Takeaway
Beware of letting passion dominate.
Themes
emotion
self‑destruction
depth
shallow vs. profound
Mood
reflective
somber
cautionary
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationships
- personal growth
- creative work
- mental health
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance deep feeling with restraint?
- What shallow emotions keep you safe?
A Different Perspective
Passion can be constructive if tempered, not just destructive.
