“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.”
- 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.
Quote
“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde humorously reveals his preference for reading something engaging and dramatic during his travels. By mentioning his diary, Wilde suggests that he writes his own sensational stories or thoughts as a form of entertainment, but the irony lies in the fact that he treats his own personal experiences and reflections as worthy of public fascination. The diary, usually a private space for personal thoughts, becomes a source of spectacle and intrigue, highlighting Wilde’s wit and self-awareness. His playful comment reflects his belief in the importance of sensationalism—something that captures the attention and imagination, even if it comes from the ordinary or mundane moments of his own life.
Wilde’s remark also underscores his aesthetic approach to life. He doesn’t just want to pass time on the train with any mundane reading, but with something extraordinary and captivating—even if it’s his own written account. This elevates the ordinary (train journeys and diaries) to the level of art or entertainment, in keeping with Wilde’s celebration of beauty, self-expression, and engagement with the world.
In modern contexts, this quote can be interpreted as a reflection on how we seek distraction or entertainment in our daily lives, often in ways that can turn the mundane into something more exciting. It invites us to reflect on how we perceive our own lives and whether we view them through the lens of sensationalism and theatricality, just as Wilde does.
