“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
table of contents
Quote
“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde reflects on the inherent dissatisfaction and irony of human desires. He suggests that there are two tragic outcomes in life: one is the frustration of not achieving what we desire, and the other is the realization that achieving those desires does not bring the happiness or fulfillment we expect. Wilde points out that wanting something often creates an illusion of fulfillment, where the pursuit of the goal feels more meaningful than the actual attainment of it. However, when we get what we want, the reality may not match the idealized version we had imagined, leading to disappointment or a loss of meaning.
This quote also touches on Wilde’s broader philosophical view that human desires and ambitions are often driven by emptiness or illusion. He suggests that we are constantly seeking external validation or material success, but these goals rarely lead to lasting contentment. The true tragedy, in Wilde’s view, is that both the absence of what we want and the fulfillment of it can lead to a sense of futility or disillusionment.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the dissatisfaction that often accompanies the pursuit of external goals or material success. It encourages us to reflect on the nature of desire and whether what we chase in life truly brings us happiness, or whether it is the pursuit itself that gives us a sense of meaning. Wilde’s words remind us that true fulfillment may not lie in the acquisition of our desires, but in how we understand and approach the journey of life itself.
