Who said “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and…”?

Verified

Oscar Wilde. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceA Woman of No Importance (1893), Lord Illingworth, Act III

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“The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.”
— Oscar Wilde
VerifiedA Woman of No Importance (1893), Lord Illingworth, Act III · evidenceSin

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: A Woman of No Importance (1893), Lord Illingworth, Act III.

APA

Wilde, O. (n.d.). The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/37379-the-only-difference-between-the-saint-and-the/

MLA

Wilde, Oscar. “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/37379-the-only-difference-between-the-saint-and-the/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Wilde, Oscar. “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/37379-the-only-difference-between-the-saint-and-the/.

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