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Oscar Wilde Quotations

Writing and Research on Oscar Wilde

QUOTATION: In America the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs for ever and ever.

‍WHERE IT APPEARED

‍In a magazine essay:

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‍The Soul of Man Under Socialism, 1891

‍The Fortnightly Review Vol. XLIX, No. 290, February 1891, pp. 292-319

‍

‍WHERE IT REAPPEARED

‍In book form:

‍

‍Reprinted in The Soul of Man, 1895

‍London. Privately Printed

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‍Magazine: Mason, 52 (British edition).

‍Magazine: Mason, 53 (American edition).

‍Book: Mason, 367

‍(not 366 as noted at Mason 52)

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‍Bibliography of Oscar Wilde

‍by Stuart Mason, 1914

‍LONDON | T. WERNER LAURIE LTD.

IN CONTEXT - THE SOUL OF MAN

We are dominated by Journalism. In America the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs for ever and ever. Fortunately in America Journalism has carried its authority to the grossest and most brutal extreme. As a natural consequence it has begun to create a spirit of revolt. People are amused by it, or disgusted by it, according to their temperaments. But it is no longer the real force it was. It is not seriously treated.


Full text at: Wikisource.


John Cooper on Oscar Wilde © 2026