I Can Resist Everything Except Temptation

Oscar Wilde Quote

I can resist everything except temptation; An Oscar Wilde quote on his liberal resistance threshold and the fuel running worldwide temptation

Oscar Wilde witticisms are bristling through the internet more than 100 years after his passing, although he was an accomplished writer of plays, poems and novels I can envisage a wry smile of glee after uttering the immortal quote 'I can resist everything except temptation'.

I imagine this paradox was created very tongue in cheek with the religious minded Christians and stiff upper lip Victorians of the day being very wary of temptation in case it leads them into sin or perceived depravity.

The Fuel Running Worldwide Temptation

In real life people are tempted by things all the time, the advertising industry is the fuel running worldwide temptation because they are always trying to lure you into a position where you either feel justified or compelled to buy a product.

Advertising executives spend their time planning strategies and campaigns to lure you into temptation. Once you have been 'sold' the idea or the 'concept' you are on the path to satisfy your temptation by spending your money.

Back in the Victorian days, temptation focused more on things that were either forbidden or just downright bad for you, many subjects were considered too taboo to even be discussed let alone participated in.

However, when something is deemed either inappropriate, immoral or illegal it arouses curiosities in people eager to see for themselves what all the fuss is about. It becomes all the more tempting to want to try it just to satisfy your own knowledge.

Voltaire once quipped:

"Ice-cream is exquisite - what a pity it isn't illegal"

The meaning being that legal things are less enticing or less exciting than illegal stuff.

The meaning of this Oscar Wilde quote boils down to whether you want something or not, of course you are tempted if you want something, after all there is no temptation if you do not want it.

If you want it and it does no harm to others then just go for it.

Article By: Michael Joseph Farrelly