Oscar Wilde's sarcastic quote on New Year: 'Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account'

Quote on New Year by Oscar Wilde: Oscar Wilde was an Irish writer and one of the most famous and controversial figures of the late Victorian period. He was born in Dublin in 1854 and became well known for his sharp humor, bold personality, and unique style in both his life and his writing. Wilde was a leading supporter of the Aesthetic Movement, which believed that art should focus on beauty, creativity, and self-expression rather than moral lessons.

Wilde wrote many types of work, including novels, plays, poems, and essays. His only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, looks at themes like vanity, right and wrong, and the price of living only for pleasure. His plays, including The Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband, and Lady Windermere’s Fan, are still widely performed today for their witty dialogue and sharp criticism of Victorian society. Through humor, Wilde often exposed hypocrisy hiding behind polite behavior.

Oscar Wilde's quote on New Year - "Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account," is widely attributed to notable Irish writer Oscar Wilde.


Meaning of the quote

This quote by Oscar Wilde suggests that many people make promises or resolutions for the coming New Year but they have no real ability or intention to keep. Wilde compares good resolutions to writing checks from a bank account that does not exist, meaning the promises look impressive but have no real value behind them. Often, people set goals without the discipline or commitment needed to follow through. The quote criticizes empty optimism and self-deception, especially around moments like New Year’s resolutions. It reminds us that real change requires action, effort, and consistency, not just good intentions. Without commitment and follow-up, resolutions remain words on paper, not meaningful steps toward improvement.


Despite his literary success, Wilde’s life ended in tragedy. In 1895, he was imprisoned for 'gross indecency' because of his relationships with men, a conviction that ruined his career and severely damaged his health. After his release, Wilde left Britain for good, taking an overnight steamer to France and never returning to either Britain or Ireland. Living in France and Italy, he spent his final years in relative poverty and exile. During this period, he wrote his last major work, 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898)', a powerful poem that reflects on the brutality and emotional toll of prison life. He died in Paris in 1900, aged just 46.

Today, Oscar Wilde is remembered as a literary genius whose work and courage continue to inspire.