LITERATURE

Oscar Wilde, writer: “In this world there are only two tragedies: one is not getting what you want, and the other is getting it”

We review one of the most famous reflections of Oscar Wilde, author of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'.

Update: Feb 13th, 2026 09:00 EST

Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854–1900)—better known simply as Oscar Wilde—was one of the most dazzling writers, playwrights, and thinkers of the late 19th century. A master of wit and a leading voice of the Aesthetic movement, Wilde became famous for his razor‑sharp prose, his relentless irony, and his unflinching critique of Victorian morality.

His legacy lives on through a treasure trove of aphorisms that remain strikingly relevant more than a century later, even surfacing in modern media like the 2026 video game Romeo is a Dead Man.

Wilde’s paradox of desire

One of Wilde’s most iconic lines captures his view of human longing—and its contradictions—with surgical precision:

“In this world there are only two tragedies: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”

It’s more than a clever quip. The phrase distills a profound reflection on desire, dissatisfaction, and the unrealistic expectations we project onto the things we believe will make us happy.

Oscar Wilde, writer: “In this world there are only two tragedies: one is not getting what you want, and the other is getting it” — Still from 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', a 2009 film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novel of the same name

Wilde returned to this idea again and again in his plays, essays, and especially in The Picture of Dorian Gray, his only novel. His characters often chase pleasure, beauty, or social success with obsessive intensity, only to discover that fulfillment is fleeting—or even destructive.

For Wilde, desire wasn’t just the engine of life; it was also an inexhaustible source of frustration when elevated to an ultimate goal.

A Victorian worldview dismantled through paradox

This famous line also showcases one of Wilde’s signature intellectual tools: the paradox. He used it to dismantle the moral and emotional certainties of Victorian society.

Not getting what you want is an obvious tragedy. But getting exactly what you longed for can be equally tragic when reality fails to match the fantasy—or when achieving a goal leaves you with nothing new to strive for.

Wilde understood that human beings often idealize their desires to the point of self‑deception. The moment we obtain what we thought we wanted, the illusion collapses.

Why Wilde’s insight hits even harder today

In a world obsessed with success, validation, and constant comparison—especially amplified by social media—Wilde’s words feel almost prophetic. His reflection pushes us to question not only what we want, but why we want it, and whether we’re convincing ourselves that certain achievements will bring happiness when the truth may be far more complicated.

The endurance of his thought is evident in how frequently his quotes appear in modern culture. Even contemporary video games like Romeo is a Dead Man (2026) incorporate his lines verbatim, a testament to how deeply his ideas still resonate.

A single sentence that captures the heart of Wilde’s philosophy

Ultimately, the power of this quote lies in its ability to condense the essence of Wilde’s worldview into one unforgettable paradox: a lucid, ironic, and quietly devastating commentary on the contradictions of human desire.

Throughout his life, Wilde wielded paradox as a critical instrument—exposing the emotional and moral fragilities woven into the human condition. More than a century later, his words still unsettle us because they continue to reveal truths we’d rather not face.