“Define us as a sex.LORD ILLINGWORTH Sphinxes without secrets.”

“She had a passion for secrecy, but she herself was merely a Sphinx without a secret.”

“MRS ALLONBY Is she such a mystery?LORD ILLINGWORTH She is more than a mystery - she is a mood.MRS ALLONBY Moods don't last.LORD ILLINGWORTH It is their chief charm.”

“LADY HUNSTANTON Lord Illingworth, you don't think that uneducated people should be allowed to have votes?LORD ILLINGWORTH I think they are the only people who should.”

“MRS ALLONBY You have your looking-glassLORD ILLINGWORTH It is unkind. I merely shows me my wrinkles.MRS ALLONBY Mine is better behaved. It never tells me the truth.LORD ILLINGWORTH Then it is in love with you.”

“Lord Illingworth told me this morning that there was an orchid there as beautiful as the seven deadly sins.”

“LORD ILLINGWORTH What do you think she'd do if I kissed her?MRS ALLONBY Either marry you, or strike you across the face with her glove. What would you do if she struck you across the face with her glove?LORD ILLINGWORTH Fall in love with her, probably.”