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  ...at this matter from the common-sense point of view, from the point of view of what is best for our son, leaving you and me out of the question. What is our son at present? An underpaid clerk in a small Provincial Bank in a third-rate English town. If you imagine he is quite happy in such a position, you are mistaken. He is thoroughly discontented.
MRS. ARBUTHNOT. He was not discontented till he met you. You have made him so.
LORD ILLINGWORTH. Of course, I made him so. Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation.   But I did not leave him with a mere longing for things he could not get. No, I made him a charming offer. He jumped at it, I need hardly say. Any young man would. And now, simply because it turns out that I am the boy's own father and he my own son, you propose practically to ruin his career. That is to say, if I were a perfect stranger, you would allow Gerald to go away with me, but as he is my own flesh and blood you won't. How utterly illogical you are!
MRS. ARBUTHNOT. I...   Wilde, Oscar

Excerpt from A Woman of No Importance · This quote is tagged Discontent · Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation.

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