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exual is to natural selection。 Ethics； like natural selection； make existence possible。 Aesthetics； like sexual selection； make life lovely and wonderful； fill it with new forms； and give it progress； and variety and change。 And when we reach the true culture that is our aim； we attain to that perfection of which the saints have dreamed； the perfection of those to whom sin is impossible； not because they make the renunciations of the ascetic； but because they can do everything they wish without hurt to the soul； and can wish for nothing that can do the soul harm； the soul being an entity so divine that it is able to transform into elements of a richer experience； or a finer susceptibility； or a newer mode of thought； acts or passions that with the common would be commonplace； or with the uneducated ignoble； or with the shameful vile。 Is this dangerous？ Yes； it is dangerous … all ideas； as I told you； are so。 But the night wearies； and the light flickers in the lamp。 One more thing I cannot help saying to you。 You have spoken against Criticism as being a sterile thing。 The nineteenth century is a turning point in history； simply on account of the work of two men； Darwin and Renan； the one the critic of the Book of Nature； the other the critic of the books of God。 Not to recognise this is to miss the meaning of one of the most important eras in the progress of the world。 Creation is always behind the age。 It is Criticism that leads us。 The Critical Spirit and the World…Spirit are one。
ERNEST。 And he who is in possession of this spirit； or whom this spirit possesses； will； I suppose； do nothing？
GILBERT。 Like the Persephone of whom Landor tells us； the sweet pensive Persephone around whose white feet the asphodel and amaranth are blooming； he will sit contented 'in that deep； motionless quiet which mortals pity； and which the gods enjoy。' He will look out upon the world and know its secret。 By contact with divine things he will become divine。 His will be the perfect life； and his only。
ERNEST。 You have told me many strange things to…night； Gilbert。 You have told me that it is more difficult to talk about a thing than to do it； and that to do nothing at all is the most difficult thing in the world； you have told me that all Art is immoral； and all thought dangerous； that criticism is more creative than creation； and that the highest criticism is that which reveals in the work of Art what the artist had not put there； that it is exactly because a man cannot do a thing that he is the proper judge of it； and that the true critic is unfair； insincere； and not rational。 My friend； you are a dreamer。
GILBERT。 Yes： I am a dreamer。 For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight； and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world。
ERNEST。 His punishment？
GILBERT。 And his reward。 But； see； it is dawn already。 Draw back the curtains and open the windows wide。 How cool the morning air is！ Piccadilly lies at our feet like a long riband of silver。 A faint purple mist hangs over the Park； and the shadows of the white houses are purple。 It is too late to sleep。 Let us go down to Covent Garden and look at the roses。 Come！ I am tired of thought。