Art is triumphant when it can use convention as an instrument of its own purpose. — W. Somerset Maugham Art Copy Share Image
She loved three things — a joke, a glass of wine, and a handsome man. — W. Somerset Maugham Glasses Copy Share Image
Of all these the richest in beauty is the beautiful life. That is the perfect work of art. ~Waddington — W. Somerset Maugham Art Copy Share Image
Art is a manifestation of emotion, and emotion speaks a language that all may understand. — W. Somerset Maugham Art Copy Share Image
“...he felt a queer little pang of bitterness because reality seemed so different from the ideal” — W. Somerset Maugham Anger Copy Share Image
Most people are such fools that it is really no great compliment to say that someone is above the average. — W. Somerset Maugham Average Copy Share Image
It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it is too late. It does not improve the temper. — W. Somerset Maugham Doe Copy Share Image
I do not confer praise or blame: I accept. I am the measure of all things. I am the center of the… — W. Somerset Maugham Acceptance Copy Share Image
“She had learnt long ago that common sense, intelligence, good-nature, and strength of character were unimportant in comparison with a pretty face.” — W. Somerset Maugham Common sense Copy Share Image
“He could breathe more freely in a lighter air. He was responsible only to himself for the things he did. Freedom! He… — W. Somerset Maugham Belief Copy Share Image
Refecting on the high divorce rate in America as contrasted with England "American women expect to find in their husbands a perfection… — W. Somerset Maugham America Copy Share Image
“It was difficult to understand that he would not come into the bungalow again and that when he got up in the… — W. Somerset Maugham Bath Copy Share Image
There is no explanation for evil. It must be looked upon as a necessary part of the order of the universe. To… — W. Somerset Maugham Evil Copy Share Image
“It was a pity that with his great qualities, his unselfishness and honor, his intelligence and sensibility, he should be so unlovable.” — W. Somerset Maugham Love Copy Share Image
I would sooner read a time-table or a catalogue than nothing at all. They are much more entertaining than half the novels… — W. Somerset Maugham Books Copy Share Image
He did not care if she was heartless, vicious and vulgar, stupid and grasping, he loved her. He would rather have misery… — W. Somerset Maugham Care Copy Share Image
“On the whole, perhaps, it might be admitted that rough justice was done, but it exasperated the assistant that his chief trusted… — W. Somerset Maugham Justice Copy Share Image
“I have nothing but contempt for the people who despise money. They are hypocrites or fools. Money is like a sixth sense… — W. Somerset Maugham Money Copy Share Image
“It is an illusion that youth is happy, an illusion of those who have lost it; but the young know they are… — W. Somerset Maugham Happiness Copy Share Image
For men and women are not only themselves; they are also the region in which they are born, the city apartment or… — W. Somerset Maugham Apartment Copy Share Image
“I do not know what infinite yearning possesses you, so that you are driven to a perilous, lonely search for some goal… — W. Somerset Maugham Love Copy Share Image
“For myself I can say that, having had every good thing that money can buy, an experience like another, I could part… — W. Somerset Maugham Good thing Copy Share Image
There was once a professor of law who said to his students. When you are fighting a case, if you have facts… — W. Somerset Maugham Cases Copy Share Image
I know that you're selfish, selfish beyond words, and I know that you haven't the nerve of a rabbit, I know you're… — W. Somerset Maugham Distraught Copy Share Image
Sometimes a man hits upon a place to which he mysteriously feels that he belongs. — W. Somerset Maugham Association 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
I'm only twenty-five. If I've made a mistake I have time to correct it. — W. Somerset Maugham Failure Copy Share Image
“I never expected you to love me, I didn't see any reason that you should, I never thought myself very lovable.” — W. Somerset Maugham Love Copy Share Image
By the time an actor knows how to act any sort of part he is often too old to act any but… — W. Somerset Maugham Actor Copy Share Image
As lovers, the difference between men and women is that women can love all day long, but men only at times. — W. Somerset Maugham Differences Copy Share Image
No action is in itself good or bad, but only such according to convention. — W. Somerset Maugham Action Copy Share Image
Money is like a sixth sense without which you cannot make a complete use of the other five. — W. Somerset Maugham Money Copy Share Image
The trouble is that thinking looks like loafing. Who wants to pay people for daydreaming? — W. Somerset Maugham Daydreaming Copy Share Image
A man marries to have a home, but also because he doesn't want to be bothered with sex and all that sort… — W. Somerset Maugham Bothered Copy Share Image
The rain fell alike upon the just and upon the unjust, and for nothing was there a why and a wherefore. — W. Somerset Maugham Rain Copy Share Image
Just as the painter thinks with his brush and paints the novelist thinks with his story. — W. Somerset Maugham Brushes Copy Share Image
The ideas for stories that thronged my brain would not let me rest till I had got rid of them by writing… — W. Somerset Maugham Brain Copy Share Image
You tend to close your eyes to truth, beauty and goodness because they give no scope to your sense of the ridiculous. — W. Somerset Maugham Beauty Copy Share Image
“No one ever died of love yet," said the prioress with a savage bitterness.” — W. Somerset Maugham Bitterness Copy Share Image
“wasn’t my fault, it was the circumstances. Can’t you forgive me?” — W. Somerset Maugham Circumstances Copy Share Image
