Портрет Дориана Грея

           Inevertakeanynoticeofwhatcommonpeoplesay,andIneverinterferewithwhatcharmingpeopledo. Ifapersonalityfascinatesme,whatevermodeofexpressionthatpersonalityselectsisabsolutelydelightfultome. DorianGrayfallsinlovewithabeautifulgirlwhoactsJuliet,andproposestomarryher.Whynot? IfheweddedMessalinahewouldbenonethelessinteresting.YouknowIamnotachampionofmarriage. Therealdrawbacktomarriageisthatitmakesoneunselfish.Andunselfishpeoplearecolourless.Theylackindividuality.Still,therearecertaintemperamentsthatmarriagemakesmorecomplex. Theyretaintheiregotism,andaddtoitmanyotheregos.Theyareforcedtohavemorethanonelife.Theybecomemorehighlyorganised,andtobehighlyorganisedis,Ishouldfancy,theobjectofman’sexistence. Besides,everyexperienceisofvalue,and,whateveronemaysayagainstmarriage,itiscertainlyanexperience. IhopethatDorianGraywillmakethisgirlhiswife,passionatelyadoreherforsixmonths,andthensuddenlybecomefascinatedbysomeoneelse. Hewouldbeawonderfulstudy." 

           "Youdon’tmeanasinglewordofallthat,Harry;youknowyoudon’t. IfDorianGray’slifewerespoiled,noonewouldbesorrierthanyourself. Youaremuchbetterthanyoupretendtobe." 

           LordHenrylaughed. "Thereasonweallliketothinksowellofothersisthatweareallafraidforourselves. Thebasisofoptimismissheerterror. Wethinkthatwearegenerousbecausewecreditourneighbourwiththepossessionofthosevirtuesthatarelikelytobeabenefittous. Wepraisethebankerthatwemayoverdrawouraccount,andfindgoodqualitiesinthehighwaymaninthehopethathemayspareourpockets. ImeaneverythingthatIhavesaid.Ihavethegreatestcontemptforoptimism.