Ambition Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““I adore good food as I adore all the other pleasant things of life, and because I have that gift I am able to look upon the future with equanimity.” “Why?” asked Alec. “Because a love for good food is the only thing that remains with man when he grows old. Love? What is love when you are five and fifty and can no longer hide the disgraceful baldness of your pate. Ambition? What is ambition when you have discovered that honours are to the pushing and glory to the vulgar. Finally we must all reach an age when every passion seems vain, every desire not worth the trouble of achieving it; but then there still remain to the man with a good appetite three pleasures each day, his breakfast, his luncheon, and his dinner.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Of Human Bondage, W. Somerset Maugham, 1915
The quote reflects on how simple, enduring pleasures like good food provide comfort and stability as other ambitions fade with age.
In simple terms: Simple pleasures sustain us when larger goals lose meaning.
Key Takeaway
Cherish everyday joys.
Themes
contentment
aging
pleasure
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- retirement
- loneliness
- daily routine
- health
- comfort
Key Concepts
Existentialism
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- What small pleasure anchors you today?
- How do you balance comfort with growth?
A Different Perspective
May overlook deeper relationships or purpose beyond sensory enjoyment.
