The value of culture is its effect on character. It avails nothing unless it ennobles and strengthens that. Its use is for… — W. Somerset Maugham Aim Copy Share Image
“I would sooner a writer were vulgar than mincing; for life is vulgar, and it is life he seeks.” — W. Somerset Maugham Life Copy Share Image
Art, if it is to be reckoned as one of the great values of life, must teach man humility, tolerance, wisdom and… — W. Somerset Maugham Action Copy Share Image
“He refused tea, but Mrs. Crowley poured out a cup and handed it to him. 'You need not drink it, but I… — W. Somerset Maugham Tea Copy Share Image
Beauty is an ecstasy; it is as simple as hunger. There is really nothing to be said about it. It is like… — W. Somerset Maugham Beauty Copy Share Image
“How happy life would be if an undertaking retained to the end the delight of its beginning, if the dregs of a… — W. Somerset Maugham Happy life Copy Share Image
“With old and young great sorrow is followed by a sleepless night, and with the old great joy is as disturbing; but… — W. Somerset Maugham Happiness Copy Share Image
There are directors who desire to be artistic. It is pathetic to compare the seriousness of their aim with the absurdity of… — W. Somerset Maugham Absurdity Copy Share Image
“When one reads, and re-reads, Moby Dick , it seems to me that one gets a more convincing, a more definite, impression… — W. Somerset Maugham Evil genius Copy Share Image
“Just as the embryo recapitulates in brief the evolution of the species, so did Suzanne recapitulate all the styles of her lovers.” — W. Somerset Maugham Copy Share Image
We who are of mature age seldom suspect how unmercifully and yet with what insight the very young judge us. — W. Somerset Maugham Age Copy Share Image
Dying is the most hellishly boresome experience in the world! Particularly when it entails dying of 'natural causes'. — W. Somerset Maugham Causes Copy Share Image
“Death ends all things and so is the comprehensive conclusion of a story, but marriage finishes it veru properly too and the… — W. Somerset Maugham Death Copy Share Image
Any nation that thinks more of its ease and comfort than its freedom will soon lose its freedom; and the ironical thing… — W. Somerset Maugham Comfort Copy Share Image
I forget who it was that recommended men for their soul's good to do each day two things they disliked: it was… — W. Somerset Maugham Bed Copy Share Image
“None was more indifferent to convention than herself, and the marriage tie especially excited her ridicule, but she despised entirely those who… — W. Somerset Maugham Courage Copy Share Image
Yet magic is no more than the art of employing consciously invisible means to produce visible effects. Will, love and imagination are… — W. Somerset Maugham Art Copy Share Image
It was like making a blunder at a party; there was nothing to do about it, it was dreadfully mortifying, but it… — W. Somerset Maugham Blunders Copy Share Image
“What do you value in life then?" "I'm afraid you'll laugh at me. Beauty, truth, and goodness.” — W. Somerset Maugham Beauty Copy Share Image
A mother only does her children harm if she makes them the only concern of her life. — W. Somerset Maugham Children Copy Share Image
Almost all the people who’ve had the most effect on me I seem to have met by chance, yet looking back it… — W. Somerset Maugham Chance Copy Share Image
An unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to give up than the bad ones. — W. Somerset Maugham Easier Copy Share Image
“He took you by force–yes, he was drunk at the time. It’s not the first time that’s happened to a woman and… — W. Somerset Maugham First time Copy Share Image
