LADY WINDERMERE
"The adjective was unnecessary, Lord Darlington."
DARLINGTON
"I couldn't help it. I can resist everything except temptation."

In this exchange from Oscar Wilde's "Lady Windermere's Fan," Lord Darlington's witty quip encapsulates Wilde's trademark humor and preoccupation with societal norms. Lady Windermere, unwavering in her moral rigidity, dismisses Darlington's compliment, suggesting that she finds no need for such embellishment. In response, Darlington's line, "I can resist everything except temptation," serves as both a playful jest and a critique of society's moral pretensions. The phrase epitomizes Wilde's skepticism toward strict moral codes and his belief in the complexity of human desires. By saying he cannot resist temptation, Darlington illuminates the tension between societal expectations and personal inclinations. Wilde uses this line to challenge the hypocrisy he perceives in the moral absolutism of the Victorian era, suggesting that acknowledging temptation is part of the human experience. Thus, Darlington's remark is a subtle invitation to embrace one's imperfections rather than adhere rigidly to societal judgments.