“Do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength and courage to yield to.”
- 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.
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Quote
“Do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength and courage to yield to.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde flips the common notion that yielding to temptation is a sign of weakness. He suggests that, in some cases, giving in to temptation requires not weakness, but rather strength and courage. Wilde’s remark emphasizes that some temptations are so powerful, so enticing, that resisting them might actually be the easier, weaker choice. The true strength, according to Wilde, lies in the ability to embrace these temptations, even when they may go against the moral grain or the expected path.
Wilde’s view challenges the conventional moral idea that virtue is solely about resisting temptation, instead suggesting that sometimes, giving in to our desires or impulses is an act that requires willpower and a certain form of personal integrity—as it might involve facing the consequences or making choices that go beyond simply abiding by societal rules. Wilde’s statement reflects his aesthetic philosophy, where the celebration of life and experience often requires embracing the full spectrum of human emotions and desires, even those deemed immoral or sinful.
In modern contexts, this quote invites us to question the moralization of temptation and the idea that resistance is always virtuous. Wilde’s words suggest that some temptations may hold a deeper significance, and in those cases, yielding to them could be seen as a form of self-expression or authenticity, not necessarily a moral failing. It challenges the conventional view of temptation as something purely negative, encouraging us to consider the complexities of human desires and the courage it might take to act on them.
