I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.
Genuine
Yes. In The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), Act II, Gwendolen and Cecily comparing their engagements, said by Gwendolen Fairfax. These are the character’s words, not a statement in Wilde’s own voice.
Found word for word by program in the full text.
- Work
- The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895
- Where
- Act II, Gwendolen and Cecily comparing their engagements
- Found at
- Paragraph 652 of the text
Researched by AI; checked by program against the full text on 31 October 2026. Editorial review: pending. How we check
On the page
CECILY. [Very politely, rising.] I am afraid you must be under some misconception. Ernest proposed to me exactly ten minutes ago. [Shows diary.]
GWENDOLEN. [Examines diary through her lorgnettte carefully.] It is certainly very curious, for he asked me to be his wife yesterday afternoon at 5.30. If you would care to verify the incident, pray do so. [Produces diary of her own.] I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train. I am so sorry, dear Cecily2, if it is any disappointment to you, but I am afraid I have the prior claim.
CECILY. It would distress me more than I can tell you, dear Gwendolen1, if it caused you any mental or physical anguish, but I feel bound to point out that since Ernest proposed to you he clearly has changed his mind.
GWENDOLEN. [Meditatively.] If the poor fellow has been entrapped into any foolish promise I shall consider it my duty to rescue him at once, and with a firm hand.
The scene
In Jack’s garden, Gwendolen and Cecily discover that each believes herself engaged to Ernest Worthing. Cecily produces her diary as evidence; Gwendolen produces hers to establish an earlier proposal and claims priority. Their elaborate politeness conceals an increasingly hostile rivalry.
What it means
Gwendolen makes her private life into sensational reading while using its written record to outbid her rival.
Often misread
Not a report of Wilde’s own travel habits. Gwendolen is treating her romantic life as entertainment and her diary as evidence in a quarrel over an engagement.
Topics
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Cite it
Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), Act II, Gwendolen and Cecily comparing their engagements. Spoken by Gwendolen Fairfax. Checked at Quotogeny, https://quotogeny.com/q/never-travel-without-my-diary/ (31 October 2026).
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Checked by people
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