"The Devoted Friend" by Oscar Wilde

In “The Devoted Friend,” Oscar Wilde offers a moral fable that is as charming as it is unsettling. Through the story of a generous little man and his eloquent, self-satisfied friend, Wilde exposes how fine words can mask cruelty—and how kindness, when taken advantage of, can become a burden rather than a blessing.

Written with wit, irony, and deceptively light prose, this story invites readers to examine the nature of true friendship, the difference between generosity and manipulation, and the cost of unbalanced relationships. A short tale with lasting resonance, The Devoted Friend remains as relevant today as when it was first published.