Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve-racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs an unceasing vigilance and a rare detachment… — W. Somerset Maugham Adultery Copy Share Image
“No one ever died of love yet," said the prioress with a savage bitterness.” — W. Somerset Maugham Love Copy Share Image
“It may be that in his rogues the writer gratifies instincts deep-rooted in him, which the manners and customs of a civilised… — W. Somerset Maugham Character Copy Share Image
Women's hearts are like old china, none the worse for a break or two. — W. Somerset Maugham Break Copy Share Image
A woman may be as wicked as she likes, but if she isn't pretty it won't do her much good. — W. Somerset Maugham Good woman Copy Share Image
“The time has passed when he was an object of ridicule, and it is no longer a mark of eccentricity to defend… — W. Somerset Maugham Time Copy Share Image
In civilized communities men's idiosyncrasies are mitigated by the necessity of conforming to certain rules of behavior. Culture is a mask that… — W. Somerset Maugham Behavior Copy Share Image
The writer of prose can only step aside when the poet passes. — W. Somerset Maugham Poet Copy Share Image
“I was examined yesterday,' he remarked at last. 'It was worth while undergoing the gêne of it to know that one was… — W. Somerset Maugham Copy Share Image
Affection is created by habit, community of interests, convenience and the desire of companionship. It is a comfort rather than an exhilaration. — W. Somerset Maugham Affection Copy Share Image
“She must really love you to distraction." "It's rather a funny sensation, you know," he answered, wrinkling a perplexed forehead. "I haven't… — W. Somerset Maugham Suicide Copy Share Image
“In 1917 I went to Russia. I was sent to prevent the Bolshevik Revolution and to keep Russia in the war. The… — W. Somerset Maugham Revolution Copy Share Image
You are not angry with people when you laugh at them. Humor teaches tolerance. — W. Somerset Maugham Angry Copy Share Image
I always find it more difficult to say the things I mean than the things I don't. — W. Somerset Maugham Difficult Copy Share Image
“He was occupied with the forming of a pattern out of the manifold chaos of life, and the materials with which he… — W. Somerset Maugham Life Copy Share Image
There is no need for the writer to eat a whole sheep to be able to tell you what mutton tastes like.… — W. Somerset Maugham Able Copy Share Image
The last words he said to me when I bade him good-night were: Tell Amy it's no good coming after me. Anyhow,… — W. Somerset Maugham Able Copy Share Image
But Philip was impatient with himself; he called to mind his idea of the pattern of life: the unhappiness he had suffered… — W. Somerset Maugham Accepting Copy Share Image
First, cut out all the wisdom, then cut out all the adjectives. — W. Somerset Maugham Adjectives Copy Share Image
“Those words, though heaven only knew how often she had heard them, still gave her her thrill. They braced her like a… — W. Somerset Maugham Adventure Copy Share Image
Some of us look for the Way in opium and some in God, some of us in whiskey and some in love.… — W. Somerset Maugham Looks Copy Share Image
“The disadvantages and dangers of the author’s calling are offset by an advantage so great as to make all its difficulties, disappointments,… — W. Somerset Maugham Books Copy Share Image
“I don’t think I shall ever find peace till I make up my mind about things,’ he said gravely. He hesitated. ‘It’s… — W. Somerset Maugham Ask yourself Copy Share Image
“A man’s work reveals him. In social intercourse he gives you the surface that he wishes the world to accept, and you… — W. Somerset Maugham Real man Copy Share Image
