"I can sympathize with everything, except suffering" (43).
Lord Henry only seeks the pleasure in life. He does not like pain or suffering. This explains his great passion for Dorian. Lord Henry finds "the color, the beauty, the joy of life" (43) in him. Harry mentioned earlier that Dorian is a symbol for a new Hedonism in England (25). This passion has led Lord Henry to want to influence Dorian as Dorian did to Basil. Lord Henry wants to be a part of the pleasure that Dorian creates (40).
"Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic" (39).
Though Dorian Gray was described as perfect, Lord Henry recognizes that his beauty and youth will be lost with time: "What a pity it was that such beauty was destined to fade" (39). In connection with the first quote, this loss of youth is the tragic characteristic of Dorian, but Lord Henry's dislike of suffering is why he wants to be in close relations with Dorian. Lord Henry may be looked upon as a caretaker for the pleasure Dorian possesses.
Vocabulary:
"Philanthropic people lose all sense of humanity" (38).
philanthropic- adj. seeking to promote the welfare of others, generous or benevolent
"'To get back one's youth one has merely to repeat one's follies" (44).
folly- n. lack of good sense, foolishness- a foolish act
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