← Back

I can resist everything except temptation

Quip 1892

By Oscar Wilde

I can resist everything except temptation.

Line from the 1892 play (public domain), as spoken by Lord Darlington. Wording checked from memory of the play, not re-read this session.

Another joke

Who told it first?

Earliest known source found

Oscar Wilde, 1892-02-20

Where: Lady Windermere's Fan, first performed at the St James's Theatre, London, 20 February 1892

The premiere date is from Wikipedia. The article does not quote the line, so the line is confirmed only by our recollection of the play text; a copy of the script should be checked before this entry is treated as final.

Older versions, rival claims and what came next

  1. 1892-02-20 documented St James's Theatre, London - Premiere of Lady Windermere's Fan. source

Sources

oscar wilde quip theatre

Something wrong or missing? Entries are corrected when a better dated source turns up. Request a take-down.