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None was more indifferent to convention than herself, and…

“None was more indifferent to convention than herself, and the marriage tie especially excited her ridicule, but she despised entirely those who disregarded the by-laws of society, yet lacked courage to suffer the results of their boldness: to seek the good opinion of the world, and yet secretly to…” quote by W. Somerset Maugham
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““None was more indifferent to convention than herself, and the marriage tie especially excited her ridicule, but she despised entirely those who disregarded the by-laws of society, yet lacked courage to suffer the results of their boldness: to seek the good opinion of the world, and yet secretly to act counter to its idea of decorum, was a very contemptible hypocrisy.””

W. Somerset Maugham

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

She mocks societal norms while secretly violating them, exposing hypocrisy in seeking approval yet acting against decorum.

In simple terms: She pretends to reject norms but secretly follows them, showing hypocrisy.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and align actions with true values.

Themes

hypocrisy social norms authenticity

Mood

conflicted critical

Type

observational critical

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • career decisions
  • public behavior
  • political activism

Key Concepts

conformity self‑deception social pressure

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you hide your true views to fit in?
  • How does hypocrisy affect trust?
A Different Perspective

Balancing personal beliefs with public expectations is often difficult.

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