Oscar Wilde on friendship
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Oscar Wilde valued friendship that showed itself through generosity rather than impressive words. His fairy tales contrasted care put into action with selfishness disguised as devotion. He showed how the language of friendship could hide an unequal relationship, with one person giving while another only took. In his later reflections, he also examined the pain of neglect and the responsibility he bore for allowing another person's will to govern his life. Friendship, in these works, called for sympathy, honesty and more than admiration.
Fine sentiments could conceal selfishness
In The Happy Prince, and Other Tales, Hugh the Miller spoke endlessly about friendship while taking what Little Hans could offer. Hans believed in his neighbour's friendship, but the Miller's conduct exposed the distance between generous language and actual generosity.
Compassion became a shared task
The Prince saw suffering across the city, but the Swallow made his compassion practical by carrying gifts to people in need. The bird stayed behind when his companions left, and his service gave their bond a purpose beyond their own companionship.
Blame did not erase responsibility
In De Profundis, Wilde accused Douglas of vanity and neglect, yet also examined his own weakness. He acknowledged that he had allowed another person's demands to direct his life. His account joined disappointment in a friend with a difficult recognition of personal responsibility.
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