“In schools the rather stupid boys who work always do better than the clever boy who's idle, but when the clever boy… — W. Somerset Maugham Copy Share Image
“Beauty is something wonderful and strange that the artist fashions out of the chaos of the world in the torment of his… — W. Somerset Maugham Adventure Copy Share Image
“MERESTON: But you break my heart. LADY FREDERICK: My dear, men have said that to me ever since I was fifteen, but… — W. Somerset Maugham Copy Share Image
You know what the critics are. If you tell the truth they only say you're cynical and it does an author no… — W. Somerset Maugham Books Copy Share Image
If it is necessary sometimes to lie to others, it is always despicable to lie to oneself. — W. Somerset Maugham Lying 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
“You don't know the difference between truth and make-believe. You never stop acting. It's second nature to you. You act when there's… — W. Somerset Maugham Life Copy Share Image
“Melville, by his own account, spent four months in the valley. He was well treated. He made friends with a girl called… — W. Somerset Maugham Cannibalism Copy Share Image
The life force is vigorous. The delight that accompanies it counter-balances all the pains and hardships that confront men. It makes life… — W. Somerset Maugham Accompany Copy Share Image
“Life is there to be lived rather than to be written about.” — W. Somerset Maugham Life Copy Share Image
It is unsafe to take your reader for more of a fool than he is. — W. Somerset Maugham Books Copy Share Image
Conscience is the guardian in the individual of the rules which the community has evolved for its own preservation. — W. Somerset Maugham Community Copy Share Image
“I have written this because it may have escaped the notice of many who have admired her [Marie Tempest] brilliant performances that… — W. Somerset Maugham Art Copy Share Image
I was a stray acquaintance whom he had never seem before and would never see again, a wandered for a moment through… — W. Somerset Maugham Acquaintance Copy Share Image
“But beauty is not the only thing that makes a woman attractive; indeed, great beauty is often somewhat chilling: you admire, but… — W. Somerset Maugham Beauty Copy Share Image
“They were talking more distantly than if they were strangers who had just met, for if they had been he would have… — W. Somerset Maugham Daughters Copy Share Image
“We are foolish and sentimental and melodramatic at twenty-five, but if we weren’t perhaps we should be less wise at fifty.” — W. Somerset Maugham Copy Share Image
“I should have known that I wasn't meant for happiness and a life of ease. I have other work to do in… — W. Somerset Maugham Happiness Copy Share Image
“Each one of us is alone in the world. He is shut in a tower of brass, and can communicate with his… — W. Somerset Maugham Communication Copy Share Image
“It is hard that a man's exterior should tally so little sometimes with his soul.” — W. Somerset Maugham Copy Share Image
I am afraid of people with too much charm. They devour you. In the end you are made a sacrifice to the… — W. Somerset Maugham Charm Copy Share Image
If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write. — W. Somerset Maugham Character Copy Share Image
“Why do you seek the society of someone who hates and despises you?" "My dear fellow, what the hell do you suppose… — W. Somerset Maugham Copy Share Image
