“No crime is vulgar, but all vulgarity is crime”.”
Explore This Quote Further
-
Working on it...
-
Working on it...
-
Working on it...
Quote Analysis: “No crime is vulgar, but all vulgarity is crime.” - Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde's statement challenges conventional morality by flipping the typical associations between crime and vulgarity. He suggests that crime, often regarded as a serious breach of law or ethics, should not automatically be deemed vulgar or tasteless. Instead, vulgarity—something coarse, crude, or lacking in refinement—is inherently a form of wrongdoing or moral failure, equated here metaphorically with crime.
This inversion questions societal norms by implying that crime can possess complexity, subtlety, or even sophistication, while vulgarity is a more fundamental moral offense. Wilde, known for his wit and critique of Victorian values, uses this paradox to criticize judgment based solely on appearance or social conventions. Ultimately, the quote urges reflection on the nature of immorality, suggesting that superficial judgments about "vulgarity" might overlook deeper ethical concerns.
Similar quotes
“All crime is vulgar, just as all vulgarity is a crime”
“Details are always vulgar”
“Arguments are to be avoided, they are always vulgar and often convincing.”
“It is very vulgar to talk about one's business.”
“It is a vulgar error to suppose that America was ever discovered. It was merely detected.”
“I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar and often convincing.”