The Importance of Being Earnest Quotes

I didn't think it polite to listen, sir.

Good heavens! Is marriage so demoralising as that?

I have only been married once. That was in consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person.

If the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?

When one is in town one amuses oneself.

I call that business.

It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal.

It is a very ungentlemanly thing to do to read a private cigarette case.

My dear fellow, what on earth is there in that? Some aunts are tall, some aunts are not tall...

Follows Algernon around the room.

But why does your aunt call you her uncle.

It is very vulgar to talk like a dentist when one isn't a dentist. It produces false impression.

I naturally want to talk to you about Bunburying. I want to tell you the rules.

Poor husband's death... looks quite twenty years younger.

There were no cucumbers in the market this morning, sir.

I hear her hair has turned quite gold from grief.

I think it is high time that Mr Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or die.

Health is the primary duty of life. I am always telling that to your poor uncle, but he never seems to take much notice.

Ever since I met you I have admired you more than any girl.

I often wish that in public, at any rate, you had been more demonstrative.

For me you have always had an irresistible fascination.

I must get christened at once - I mean we must get married at once.

But you haven't proposed to me yet.

Men often propose for practice.

He tries to rise; she restrains him.

It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself.

Looks in her pocket for note-book and pencil.

I prefer standing.

There are far too many idle men in London.

I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance.

The unfashionable side.

That seems like carelessness.

Make a definite effort to produce at any rate one parent.

I am not in favour of this modern mania for turning bad people into good people.

I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of life.

[Memory] usually chronicles the things that have never happened.

The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.

Were I fortunate enough to be Miss Prism's pupil, I would hang upon her lips.

I am afraid he will look just like everybody else.

You are the prettiest girl I ever saw.

I don't think I would care to catch a sensible man. I shouldn't know what to talk to him about.

Visible personification of absolute perfection.

Why, we have been engaged for the last three months.

It would hardly have been a really serious engagement if it hadn't been broken off at least once.

Do you mean to say you could not love me if I had some other name?

I like you already more than I can say. My first impressions of people are never wrong.

The home seems to me to be the proper sphere for the man.

How secretive of him! He grows more interesting hourly.

But even men of the noblest possible moral character are extremely susceptible to the influence of the physical charms of others.

Sugar is not fashionable anymore.

From the moment I saw you I distrusted you. I felt that you were false and deceitful.

A gross deception has been practiced on both of us.

You will call me sister, will you not?

I admit with shame that I do not know.

Exit Jack in great excitement.

This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last.

The happiness of more than one life depends on your answer.

Yes - mother!

You are the son of my poor sister, Mrs Moncrieff, and consequently Algernon's elder brother.

Cecily - how could you have ever doubted that I had a brother.

I always told you Gwendolen, my name was Ernest, didn't I?

My own Ernest! I felt from the first that you could have no other name.

Gwendolen, it is a terrible thing for man to find out suddenly all his life he had been speaking nothing but the truth. Can you forgive me?

I have now realised for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Earnest.