--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For if the proper study of mankind is…" description: "\"For if the proper study of mankind is man, it is evidently more sensible to occupy yourself with the coherent, substantial and significant creatures of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/w-somerset-maugham-237_creatures_for-if-the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-ma_1164037.jpg" --- # For if the proper study of mankind is man, it is evidently… ![“For if the proper study of mankind is man, it is evidently more sensible to occupy yourself with the coherent, substantial and significant creatures of fiction than with the irrational and shadowy figures of real life.” quote by W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/w-somerset-maugham-237_creatures_for-if-the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-ma_1164037.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/w-somerset-maugham-237_creatures_for-if-the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-ma_1164037.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/w-somerset-maugham-237_creatures_for-if-the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-ma_1164037.jpg) > “For if the proper study of mankind is man, it is evidently more sensible to occupy yourself with the coherent, substantial and significant creatures of fiction than with the irrational and shadowy figures of real life.” [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Studying fictional characters offers clearer insight into human nature than real‑life figures, which can be ambiguous. **In simple terms:** Fiction reveals human truths better. Key Takeaway Read fiction to understand humanity. Themes literature human nature insight Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - book clubs - creative writing - academic study - personal reflection Key Concepts philosophy psychology cultural studies Questions to Reflect On - Which fictional character taught you most? - How do real experiences compare? A Different Perspective Real life also provides valuable lessons; dismissing it limits perspective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Fiction Irrational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction-irrational-3345734/) [Figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figures/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Irrational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irrational/) [Irrational Shadowy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irrational-shadowy-3345736/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Occupy yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occupy-yourself-134738/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-life/) [Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensible/) [Significant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/significant/) [Significant Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/significant-creatures-3345735/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Study Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study-mankind-497395/) ## Related quotes > [As we grow older we become more conscious of the complexity, incoherence, and unreasonableness of human beings; this indeed is the only excuse that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/as-we-grow-older-we-become-more-conscious-of-the-complexity/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [As we grow older we become more conscious of the complexity, incoherence, and unreasonableness of human beings; this indeed is the only excuse that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/as-we-grow-older-we-become-more-conscious-of-the-complexity-2/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Occupy yourself with what's in your life now. Address those situations and subjects as fully as possible with your best efforts. That is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/occupy-yourself-with-what-s-in-your-life-now-address-those-situations/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [When you're dealing with killing people and things that are upsetting, that can be a delicate place to occupy yourself for a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-purefoy/when-you-re-dealing-with-killing-people-and-things-that-are-upsetting/) [James Purefoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-purefoy/) > [My hope is that the work is in some way counter-pinup. A pinup asks you to suspend interest in who the person is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jock-sturges/my-hope-is-that-the-work-is-in-some-way-counter-pinup-a-pinup-asks/) [Jock Sturges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jock-sturges/) > [To occupy yourself with tasks that are useful to yourself and others, you can get your mind off your problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/to-occupy-yourself-with-tasks-that-are-useful-to-yourself-and-others/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [As much as there is joy in writing, there's always the little bit of terror to keep you on edge, on your toes. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cormier/as-much-as-there-is-joy-in-writing-there-s-always-the-little-bit-of/) [Robert Cormier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cormier/) > [Above all, do not lie to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/above-all-do-not-lie-to-yourself/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Occupy yourself, and you will be out of harm's way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/occupy-yourself-and-you-will-be-out-of-harm-s-way/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“The noblest study of mankind is Man, says Man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thurber/the-noblest-study-of-mankind-is-man-says-man/) [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) > [“Know then thyself; presume not God to scan, The proper study of mankind is Man. Placed on this isthmus of a middle state, A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/know-then-thyself-presume-not-god-to-scan-the-proper-study-of-mankind/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The proper study of Mankind is Man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-man/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [“Oh! A mystery is it?' I cried, rubbing my hands. 'This is very piquant. I am much obliged to you for bringing us together.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-doyle/oh-a-mystery-is-it-i-cried-rubbing-my-hands-this-is-very-piquant-i-am/) [Arthur Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-doyle/) > [They who study mankind with a whip in their hands will always go wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/they-who-study-mankind-with-a-whip-in-their-hands-will-always-go-wrong/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [The proper study of Mankind is Everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-everything/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## More by W. Somerset Maugham > [“A man thinks it quite natural that he should fall out of love with a woman, but it never strikes him for a moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/a-man-thinks-it-quite-natural-that-he-should-fall-out-of-love-with-a/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“A man's work reveals him. In social intercourse he gives you the surface that he wishes the world to accept, but in his book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/a-man-s-work-reveals-him-in-social-intercourse-he-gives-you-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/love-is-only-a-dirty-trick-played-on-us-to-achieve-continuation-of/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [The world is hard and cruel. We are here none knows why, and we go none knows whither. We must be very humble. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/the-world-is-hard-and-cruel-we-are-here-none-knows-why-and-we-go-none/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“There is no more merit in having read a thousand books than in having ploughed a thousand fields.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/there-is-no-more-merit-in-having-read-a-thousand-books-than-in-having/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“I wanted to live again and again. I was willing to accept every sort of life, no matter what its pain and sorrow; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/i-wanted-to-live-again-and-again-i-was-willing-to-accept-every-sort/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [In Hollywood, the women are all peaches. It makes one long for an apple occasionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/in-hollywood-the-women-are-all-peaches-it-makes-one-long-for-an-apple/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Follow your inclinations with due regard to the policeman round the corner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/follow-your-inclinations-with-due-regard-to-the-policeman-round-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“His love became a prison from which he longed to escape, but he had not the strength merely to open the door-that was all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/his-love-became-a-prison-from-which-he-longed-to-escape-but-he-had/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [I did not believe him capable of love. That is an emotion in which tenderness is an essential part, but Strickland had no tenderness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/i-did-not-believe-him-capable-of-love-that-is-an-emotion-in-which/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [If only the good were a little less heavy-footed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/if-only-the-good-were-a-little-less-heavy-footed/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Perfection has one grave defect: it is apt to be dull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/perfection-has-one-grave-defect-it-is-apt-to-be-dull/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“A God that can be understood is no God. Who can explain the Infinite in words?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/a-god-that-can-be-understood-is-no-god-who-can-explain-the-infinite/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“My dear, you used to be quite a dish; now you're quite a tureen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/my-dear-you-used-to-be-quite-a-dish-now-you-re-quite-a-tureen/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“When people say they do not care what others thing of them, for the most part they deceive themselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/when-people-say-they-do-not-care-what-others-thing-of-them-for-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) [Explore all 840 W. Somerset Maugham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## More Creatures quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this \[step by step, from humans to apes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us-with-so-extraordinary-a/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [No creature can attain a higher grade of nature without ceasing to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/no-creature-can-attain-a-higher-grade-of-nature-without-ceasing-to/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) > [...it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly, and spectral. I have cross-examined these men, one of them a hard-headed countryman, one a farrier, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/it-was-a-huge-creature-luminous-ghastly-and-spectral-i-have-cross/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [My dad's family were political and he was always a theatrical creature, whereas my mum is really musical and her father was the touring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-jones/my-dad-s-family-were-political-and-he-was-always-a-theatrical/) [Grace Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-jones/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [What greater weakness can there be than not to know what is the source of one's being, of one's life, of one's senses, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/what-greater-weakness-can-there-be-than-not-to-know-what-is-the/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [Children are not a zoo of entertainingly exotic creatures, but an array of mirrors in which the human predicament leaps out at us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/children-are-not-a-zoo-of-entertainingly-exotic-creatures-but-an/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [When I was in my teens I had a series of intensely religious experiences. They deepened my sense of God as the creator of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/when-i-was-in-my-teens-i-had-a-series-of-intensely-religious/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) [Browse all 3,703 Creatures quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For if the proper study of mankind is man, it is evidently more sensible to occupy yourself with the coherent, substantial and significant creatures of fiction than with the irrational and shadowy figures of real life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "W. 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