Strona 163 z 490

Lord Henry laughed. "The reason we all like to think so well of

others is that we are all afraid for ourselves. The basis of

optimism is sheer terror. We think that we are generous because

we credit our neighbour with the possession of those virtues that

are likely to be a benefit to us. We praise the banker that we

may overdraw our account, and find good qualities in the

highwayman in the hope that he may spare our pockets. I mean

everything that I have said. I have the greatest contempt for

optimism. As for a spoiled life, no life is spoiled but one whose

growth is arrested. If you want to mar a nature, you have merely

to reform it. As for marriage, of course that would be silly, but

there are other and more interesting bonds between men and women.

I will certainly encourage them. They have the charm of being

fashionable. But here is Dorian himself. He will tell you more

than I can."