Everything is dangerous, my dear fellow. If it wasn't so, life wouldn't be worth living.
Oscar WildeRead
It is absurd to say that there are neither ruins nor curiosities in America when they have their mothers and their manners.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the value of cultural heritage and the significance of manners in society.
Oscar Wilde suggests that America, despite its youth and lack of ancient ruins like those in Europe, possesses its own forms of history and culture represented through its people and their behaviors. The mention of 'mothers and their manners' implies that even in a new nation, there exist elements of tradition and social interaction that contribute to a unique historical narrative.
Themes
AmericaCultureHeritageMannersPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
Discussing the uniqueness of American culture in a history class.
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A truth ceases to be true when more than one person believes in it.
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