“One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
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Quote
“One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde comments on the importance of reputation and how, in the modern world, society’s views and personal mistakes can be overcome—but a good reputation is something that is almost impossible to recover once damaged. Wilde acknowledges that people may face hardship, scandal, or adversity, but with time and the right circumstances, they can move past it, adapting or surviving. However, when it comes to reputation, once ruined, it can be very difficult to regain the respect or honor that was lost. Reputation is fragile, and people often cannot simply “live it down” or erase their past actions in the eyes of society.
Wilde’s words reflect his ironic and satirical view of society’s obsession with public perception. He suggests that while death is an ultimate end that can never be survived, a person can often outlive and move beyond many challenges—except for the damage to their good name. In essence, Wilde is pointing out the absurdity of a society that is more concerned with reputation and social approval than with the real substance of one’s character or the true essence of their life.
In modern contexts, this quote can be interpreted as a reflection on social dynamics and cancel culture, where people’s reputations can be permanently tarnished by public opinion, whether or not the individual is truly at fault. Wilde’s words remind us of the complexity of public image, encouraging us to reflect on the fragility of reputation and the difficulty in rebuilding trust or honor once it has been compromised.
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