1897 Quote by Oscar Wilde
““Yet each man kills the thing he loves, By each let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword! Some kill their love when they are young, And some when they are old; Some strangle with the hands of Gold: The kindest use a knife, because The dead so soon grow cold. Some love too little, some too long, Some sell and others buy; Some do the deed with many tears, And some without a sigh: For each man kills the thing he loves, Yet each man does not die.””
About This Quote
People destroy what they cherish in varied ways—through cruelty, flattery, cowardice, or bravery—yet they themselves survive.
In simple terms: Love can be self‑destructive
Key Takeaway
Love often leads to its own demise
Themes
love
self‑destruction
human nature
mortality
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
poetic
aphoristic
When to use this quote
- examining toxic relationships
- reflecting on personal sacrifices
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
Practical Applications
- literary analysis
- therapeutic journaling
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we sometimes harm what we love?
- Is the act of killing love a form of self‑preservation?
