"The body sins once, and has done with its sin, for action is a mode of purification... The only way to rid of temptation is to yield to it.. Resist it and your soul grows sick with longing."
What does this quote mean? Thanks
2007-08-13 04:54:19 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
Simply put, it means that instead of being afraid of your desires, you should do what you want to do.
Like the Nike advertisement -- Just Do It.
If you want more insight into this quote, you really should read up about Oscar Wilde. Understanding who said it will also help you understand what it means.
2007-08-13 05:04:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oscar Wilde was a master of wit and irony. The idea of a person being "improbable" is typical of his wry sensibility. He was not only flamboyant in his manner of dress, but in his use of language -r colorful and unexpected. In this particular case, "unexpected" is a good explanation. Keep some secrets (Wilde certainly did). Don't reveal everything about yourself. Surprise people - and yourself - now and then, by making an unusual choice or decision. This might apply to random acts of kindness, or simply spontaneity. It might also mean that, since most people ARE somewhat inconsistent and even a bit hypocritical, perhaps these traits are part of being human. If we were all completely consistent in our ideas and their application, everyone else would know exactly what to expect of each other all the time...and few people are that consistent.
2016-05-21 06:28:57 · answer #2 · answered by cinda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that once you sin, you get it out of your system and you don't do it again. If you resist the temptation of a particular sin, you get a craving for it. If you continue to ignore it, your soul grows "sick". Wilde says you must yield, or succumb, to temptation once before you can be sure you'll never do it again.
2007-08-13 05:03:12 · answer #3 · answered by Samantha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I t means that the physical aspect of sin can only take place one time, although the sin can be repeated it is a different physical action. But in one's heart and soul sin lasts and defines us whether we act on it or not. So Wilde is stating that by acting on it physically we can remove the sin from our hearts and souls before it takes them over.
2007-08-13 05:12:30 · answer #4 · answered by Rebecca W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just look at the meaning of the words he's saying and put it together...there's really not much there beyond that.
2007-08-13 05:03:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means if you wanna have sex, then have sex. The more you try to avoid sex (or food), the more you crave for it. Satisfy your body with the pleasures that it is looking for and it will stop craving for them.
2007-08-13 05:07:15 · answer #6 · answered by 123mantobeat456 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋