The Picture of Dorian Gray: The Original 1890 Edition (A Oscar Wilde Classics)

by Oscar Wilde

Had it been merely vanity that had made him do his one good deed? Or the desire for a new sensation,

Or that passion to act a part that sometimes makes us do things finer than we are ourselves?

Vanity? Curiosity? Hypocrisy? Had there been nothing more in his renunciation than that?

Through vanity he had spared her. In hypocrisy he had worn the mask of goodness. For curiosity’s sake he had tried the denial of self.

Its mere memory had marred many moments of joy. It had been like conscience to him. Yes, it had been conscience.

It would kill the past, and when that was dead, he would be free.

It would kill this monstrous soul-life, and without its hideous warnings, he would be at peace.