“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.”Oscar Wilde · Portretul lui Dorian Gray · 1890 · Portretul lui Dorian Gray, Cap. II
Wilde inverts common moral logic. Instead of seeing temptation as an enemy to conquer, he suggests that repression amplifies it. The character Lord Henry Wotton, who says this, promotes a hedonistic philosophy. For example, if someone is tempted to eat a cake, strictly forbidding it may lead to greater cravings, while eating a small piece may eliminate the obsession.
Why it matters It can help us understand that sometimes excessive self-control is counterproductive and that a more relaxed approach can reduce psychological tension.