---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the odd things about Stendhal is…"
description: "\"“One of the odd things about Stendhal is that though he was always on the watch lest anyone made a fool of him, he was constantly making a fool of hims..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/w-somerset-maugham-237_quote_one-of-the-odd-things-about-stendhal-is_2073599.jpg"
---

#  One of the odd things about Stendhal is that though he was…

![“One of the odd things about Stendhal is that though he was always on the watch lest anyone made a fool of him, he was constantly making a fool of himself.” quote by W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/w-somerset-maugham-237_quote_one-of-the-odd-things-about-stendhal-is_2073599.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/w-somerset-maugham-237_quote_one-of-the-odd-things-about-stendhal-is_2073599.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/w-somerset-maugham-237_quote_one-of-the-odd-things-about-stendhal-is_2073599.jpg)

> ““One of the odd things about Stendhal is that though he was always on the watch lest anyone made a fool of him, he was constantly making a fool of himself.””

[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.

Stendhal is vigilant about others’ foolishness yet constantly makes a fool of himself.

**In simple terms:** Self‑awareness vs. self‑mockery.

Key Takeaway

Balance self‑critique with humility.

Themes

self‑awareness humor paradox

Mood

reflective wry

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- public speaking
- leadership training

Key Concepts

Literary analysis psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- When does vigilance become hypocrisy?
- How to accept personal flaws?

A Different Perspective

Self‑critique can become self‑sabotage.

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> [It is a great good fortune, as Stendhal said, for one "to have his passion as a profession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-merleau-ponty/it-is-a-great-good-fortune-as-stendhal-said-for-one-to-have-his/)

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