--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lady Bracknell. Good afternoon, dear…" description: "\"Lady Bracknell. Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are behaving very well. Algernon. I’m feeling very well, Aunt Augusta. Lady Bracknell. That’s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a00/oscar-wilde-16_afternoon_lady-bracknell-good-afternoon-dear-alger_1589711.jpg" --- # Lady Bracknell. Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you… ![“Lady Bracknell. Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are behaving very well. Algernon. I’m feeling very well, Aunt Augusta. Lady Bracknell. That’s not quite the same thing. In fact the two things rarely go together.” quote by Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a00/oscar-wilde-16_afternoon_lady-bracknell-good-afternoon-dear-alger_1589711.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a00/oscar-wilde-16_afternoon_lady-bracknell-good-afternoon-dear-alger_1589711.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a00/oscar-wilde-16_afternoon_lady-bracknell-good-afternoon-dear-alger_1589711.jpg) > “Lady Bracknell. Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are behaving very well. Algernon. I’m feeling very well, Aunt Augusta. Lady Bracknell. That’s not quite the same thing. In fact the two things rarely go together.” [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lady Bracknell points out that being well‑behaved and feeling well are not the same, highlighting social pretensions. **In simple terms:** Good behavior and feeling good are different. Key Takeaway Recognize the gap between appearances and reality. Themes social satire class hypocrisy Mood witty critical Type literary dramatic When to use this quote - social gatherings - family introductions - career interviews - public speaking Key Concepts Victorian etiquette identity performance Questions to Reflect On - Do you equate good manners with personal happiness? - How do social expectations shape self‑perception? A Different Perspective People often conflate politeness with genuine wellbeing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Augusta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/augusta/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Lady Bracknell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lady-bracknell/) ## Related quotes > [“Ah! That must be Aunt Augusta. Only relatives, or creditors, ever ring in that Wagnerian manner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/ah-that-must-be-aunt-augusta-only-relatives-or-creditors-ever-ring-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“I have never planned anything illegal in my life,' Aunt Augusta said. 'How could I plan anything of the kind when I have never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/i-have-never-planned-anything-illegal-in-my-life-aunt-augusta-said/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [“LADY BRACKNELL I had some crumpets with Lady Harbury, who seems to me to be living entirely for pleasure now. ALGERNON I hear her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-i-had-some-crumpets-with-lady-harbury-who-seems-to-me/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“LADY BRACKNELL: It is my last reception, and one wants something that will encourage conversation, particularly at the end of the season when every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-it-is-my-last-reception-and-one-wants-something-that/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Lady Bracknell: Is this Miss Prism a female of repellent aspect, remotely connected with education? Chasuble: (Somewhat indignantly) She is the most cultivated of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-is-this-miss-prism-a-female-of-repellent-aspect/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“LADY BRACKNELL Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-thirty-five-is-a-very-attractive-age-london-society-is/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Jack: Actually, I was found. Lady Bracknell: Found? Jack: Uh, yes, I was in... a handbag. Lady Bracknell: A handbag? Jack: Yes, it was...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/jack-actually-i-was-found-lady-bracknell-found-jack-uh-yes-i-was-in-a/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [LADY BRACKNELL Algernon is an extremely, I may almost say an ostentatiously, eligible young man. He has nothing, but he looks everything. What more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-algernon-is-an-extremely-i-may-almost-say-an/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“LADY BRACKNELL: Do you smoke? JACK: Well, yes, I must admit I smoke. LADY BRACKNELL: I am glad to hear it. A man should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-do-you-smoke-jack-well-yes-i-must-admit-i-smoke-lady/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Lady Bracknell: “He was eccentric, I admit. But only in later years. And that was the result of the Indian climate, and marriage, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-he-was-eccentric-i-admit-but-only-in-later-years-and/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“LADY BRACKNELL To speak frankly, I am not in favour of long engagements. They give people the opportunity of finding out each other's character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-to-speak-frankly-i-am-not-in-favour-of-long/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Never met such a Gorgon . . . I don't really know what a Gorgon is like, but I am quite sure that Lady…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/never-met-such-a-gorgon-i-don-t-really-know-what-a-gorgon-is-like-but/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [ “LADY BRACKNELL. May I ask if it is in this house that your invalid friend Mr. Bunbury resides? ALGERNON. \[Stammering.\] Oh! No! Bunbury doesn't… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-may-i-ask-if-it-is-in-this-house-that-your-invalid/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [ “LADY BRACKNELL. \[Rising and drawing herself up.\] You must be quite aware that what you propose is out of the question. JACK. Then a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-rising-and-drawing-herself-up-you-must-be-quite-aware/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [LADY BRACKNELL: Do you smoke? JACK: Well, yes, I must admit I smoke. LADY BRACKNELL: I'm glad to hear it. A man should always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lady-bracknell-do-you-smoke-jack-well-yes-i-must-admit-i-smoke-lady-2/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## More by Oscar Wilde > [How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/how-else-but-through-a-broken-heart-may-lord-christ-enter-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-books-that-the-world-calls-immoral-are-the-books-that-show-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It is not fair that some men should be happier than others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/bachelors-should-be-heavily-taxed-it-is-not-fair-that-some-men-should/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Who, being loved, is poor?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/who-being-loved-is-poor/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Basil my dear boy puts everything that is charming in him into his work. The consequence is that he has nothing left for life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/basil-my-dear-boy-puts-everything-that-is-charming-in-him-into-his/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Anybody can be good in the country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/anybody-can-be-good-in-the-country/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I don't at all like knowing what people say of me behind my back. It makes me far too conceited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-don-t-at-all-like-knowing-what-people-say-of-me-behind-my-back-it/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Alles Populäre ist falsch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/alles-popul-re-ist-falsch/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“If these elements of beauty are real, the whole thing simply appeals to our sense of dramatic effect. Suddenly we find that we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/if-these-elements-of-beauty-are-real-the-whole-thing-simply-appeals/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [To love one's self is the beginning of a life-long romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-love-one-s-self-is-the-beginning-of-a-life-long-romance/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/those-who-find-beautiful-meanings-in-beautiful-things-are-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Men always want to be a womans first love. Women have a more subtle instinct: What they like is to be a mans last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/men-always-want-to-be-a-womans-first-love-women-have-a-more-subtle/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Why is it that at a bachelor's establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/why-is-it-that-at-a-bachelor-s-establishment-the-servants-invariably/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Moderation is a fatal thing. Enough is as bad as a meal. More than enough is as good as a feast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/moderation-is-a-fatal-thing-enough-is-as-bad-as-a-meal-more-than/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Beauty is the only thing that time cannot harm. Philosophies fall away like sand, creeds follow one another, but what is beautiful is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/beauty-is-the-only-thing-that-time-cannot-harm-philosophies-fall-away/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) [Explore all 3,343 Oscar Wilde quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## More Afternoon quotes > [I didn't grow up thinking of movies as film, or art, but as movies, something to do on a Saturday afternoon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-pollack/i-didn-t-grow-up-thinking-of-movies-as-film-or-art-but-as-movies/) [Sydney Pollack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-pollack/) > [My dental hygienist is cute. Every time I visit, I eat a whole package of Oreo cookies while waiting in the lobby. Sometimes she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/my-dental-hygienist-is-cute-every-time-i-visit-i-eat-a-whole-package/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [Honestly, I'm living my fantasy. It's being with my family, preferably on a snowy afternoon with a fire going, cuddled up in blankets, playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-vieira/honestly-i-m-living-my-fantasy-it-s-being-with-my-family-preferably/) [Meredith Vieira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-vieira/) > [It was a very intense and stressful situation. There was playing in the Johnny-pump (an opened fire hydrant) and the ice-cream man coming around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/it-was-a-very-intense-and-stressful-situation-there-was-playing-in/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) > [Sunday afternoon is for papers and writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-haslam/sunday-afternoon-is-for-papers-and-writing/) [Nicholas Haslam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-haslam/) > [I think that if most guys in America could somehow get their fave-rave poster girl in bed and have total license to do whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bangs/i-think-that-if-most-guys-in-america-could-somehow-get-their-fave/) [Lester Bangs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bangs/) > [“If you come at four in the afternoon, I'll begin to be happy by three.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-come-at-four-in-the-afternoon-i-ll-begin-to-be-happy-by-three/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [At five in the afternoon. It was exactly five in the afternoon. A boy brought the white sheet at five in the afternoon. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/at-five-in-the-afternoon-it-was-exactly-five-in-the-afternoon-a-boy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The shadows in the early morning don't tell much. The shadows rest at that time. So it's useless to gaze very early in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-castaneda/the-shadows-in-the-early-morning-don-t-tell-much-the-shadows-rest-at/) [Carlos Castaneda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-castaneda/) > [“I discovered windows one afternoon and after that, nothing was ever the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-spollen/i-discovered-windows-one-afternoon-and-after-that-nothing-was-ever/) [Anne Spollen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-spollen/) > [Look, science is hard, it has a reputation of being hard, and the facts are, it is hard, and that's the result of 400…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/look-science-is-hard-it-has-a-reputation-of-being-hard-and-the-facts/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [What'll we do with ourselves this afternoon? And the day after that, and the next thirty years?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/what-ll-we-do-with-ourselves-this-afternoon-and-the-day-after-that/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [Imagine you are walking down a leafy path…The sun is receding, and you are walking alone, caressed by the breezy light of the late…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azar-nafisi/imagine-you-are-walking-down-a-leafy-path-the-sun-is-receding-and-you/) [Azar Nafisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azar-nafisi/) > [A good umpire is the umpire you don't even notice. He's there all afternoon but when the game is over, you don't even remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-johnson/a-good-umpire-is-the-umpire-you-don-t-even-notice-he-s-there-all/) Ban Johnson > [Sometimes in the afternoon sky the moon would pass white as a cloud, furtive, lusterless, like an actress who does not have to perform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/sometimes-in-the-afternoon-sky-the-moon-would-pass-white-as-a-cloud/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) Browse all 1,085 Afternoon quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Lady Bracknell. Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are behaving very well. Algernon. I’m feeling very well, Aunt Augusta. Lady Bracknell. That’s not quite the same thing. 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