But then one regrets the loss even of one's worst habits. Perhaps one regrets them the most. They are such an essential part of one's personality.

I am less to you than your ivory Hermes or your silver Faun. You will like them always. How long will you like me? Till I have my first wrinkle, I suppose. I know, now, that when one loses one's good looks, whatever they may be, one loses everything. Your picture has taught me that. Lord Henry Wotton is perfectly right. Youth is the only thing worth having. When I find that I am growing old, I shall kill myself.

Nothing makes one so vain as being told that one is a sinner.

I am jealous of everything whose beauty does not die. I am jealous of the portrait you have painted of me. Why should it keep what I must lose? Every moment that passes takes something from me and gives something to it. Oh, if it were only the other way! If the picture could change, and I could be always what I am now! Why did you paint it? It will mock me some day—mock me horribly!

Besides, nothing makes one so vain as being told that one is a sinner. Conscience makes egotists of us all.

...and once read a paper before our debating society to prove that it was better to be good-looking than to be good.

Why should he watch the hideous corruption of his soul?

If only the picture could grow old, and I stay young. For that...for that, I would give my SOUL for that.