Kindness Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““He might have known that she would do this; she had never cared for him, she had made a fool of him from the beginning; she had no pity, she had no kindness, she had no charity. The only thing was to accept the inevitable. The pain he was suffering was horrible, he would sooner be dead than endure it; and the thought came to him that it would be better to finish with the whole thing: he might throw himself in the river or put his neck on a railway line; but he had no sooner set the thought into words than he rebelled against it. His reason told him that he would get over his unhappiness in time; if he tried with all his might he could forget her; and it would be grotesque to kill himself on account of a vulgar slut.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Unconsoled” by W. Somerset Maugham, 1925
A man grapples with heartbreak, contemplating suicide, but ultimately rejects it, choosing to endure pain and move beyond his suffering.
In simple terms: He decides not to kill himself despite deep anguish.
Key Takeaway
Seek resilience and time to heal.
Themes
heartbreak
suicide
resilience
morality
Mood
somber
hopeful
Type
narrative
psychological
When to use this quote
- relationship breakup
- mental health crisis
- personal loss
- support groups
Key Concepts
existential crisis
psychological coping
Questions to Reflect On
- What supports could help you avoid self‑destructive thoughts?
- How can you transform pain into growth?
A Different Perspective
Suicide is a complex issue; recovery may need external help.
