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It is only the modern that ever becomes old-fashioned.
Oscar Wilde
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Modern ideas or trends are often seen as old-fashioned over time.

Oscar Wilde's quote reflects the transient nature of modernity, suggesting that what is considered contemporary or fashionable today will inevitably be viewed as outdated in the future. This observation speaks to the cycles of change in culture, style, and thought, emphasizing that the only constant is the evolution of what is regarded as 'modern.'

Themes

ModernOld-FashionedChangeTrendsFashion

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about fashion, one could quote Wilde to highlight how quickly trends can change.

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Everything is dangerous, my dear fellow. If it wasn't so, life wouldn't be worth living.
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When one has never heard a man's name in the course of one's life, it speaks volumes for him; he must be quite respectable.
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A truth ceases to be true when more than one person believes in it.
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