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W. Somerset Maugham Quotes - Page 10

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When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me.

When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me.

W. Somerset Maugham
Book, Reading, Eye
W. Somerset Maugham (2016). “Of Human Bondage (Diversion Classics)”, p.446, Diversion Books

Insensibly he formed the most delightful habit in the world, the habit of reading: he did not know that thus he was providing himself with a refuge from all the distress of life; he did not know either that he was creating for himself an unreal world which would make the real world of every day a source of bitter disappointment.

W. Somerset Maugham
Disappointment, Real, Reading
W. Somerset Maugham (2016). “Of Human Bondage (Diversion Classics)”, p.45, Diversion Books

Beauty is also a Gift of God, one of the most rare and precious, and we should be thankful if we are happy enough to possess it and thankful, if we are not, that others possess it for our pleasure.

W. Somerset Maugham
Being Thankful, Enough, Pleasure

Perfect is determined in shortened measures of time, not over long periods of time or lifetimes. It would be unnatural.

W. Somerset Maugham
Long, Perfect, Would Be

We learn resignation not by our own suffering, but by the suffering of others.

W. Somerset Maugham
Suffering Of Others, Suffering, Resignation
W. Somerset Maugham (1954). “Mr. Maugham Himself”

I prefer a loose woman to a selfish one and a wanton to a fool.

W. Somerset Maugham
Selfish, Fool, Loose Women

To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give... You will find that people forget the failures of others very quickly.... My last piece of advice is not to let anyone see your mortification, but whatever you fancy people are saying about you to go on with your ordinary life as though nothing unpleasant had happened to you.

W. Somerset Maugham
Failure, Character, People

A man filled with meat turns his back on the dry bones of political doctrine. Fanatical devotion to the ruling party comes more readily from the materially deprived At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely.

W. Somerset Maugham
Party, Men, Dry Bones
1896 A Writer's Notebook (published1949).

As if a woman ever loved a man for his virtue.

W. Somerset Maugham
Men, Virtue, Ifs
"Fictional character: Kitty Fane". "The Painted Veil", www.imdb.com. 2006.

I've met so many people, often the scum of the earth, and found them, you know, quite decent. I am an uncomfortable stranger to moral indignation.

W. Somerset Maugham
Scum Of The Earth, People, Moral

Writing is the supreme solace.

W. Somerset Maugham
Writing, Solace, Supreme

I would sooner read a timetable or a catalog than nothing at all.

W. Somerset Maugham
Funny, Book, Reading

Few misfortunes can befall a boy which bring worse consequence than to have a really affectionate mother.

W. Somerset Maugham
Funny, Mother, Boys
Writer's Notebook (1949) p. 27 (written in 1896)

An art is only great and significant if it is one that all may enjoy. The art of a clique is but a plaything.

W. Somerset Maugham
Art, May, Clique
W. Somerset Maugham (1954). “Mr. Maugham Himself”

Only mediocre people are at the best all the time.

W. Somerset Maugham
Swimming, People, Mediocre

It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it is too late. It does not improve the temper.

W. Somerset Maugham
Too Late, Mediocrity, Doe
W. Somerset Maugham (2016). “Of Human Bondage (Diversion Classics)”, p.343, Diversion Books

I know that I shall die struggling for breath, and I know that I shall be horribly afraid. I know that I shall not be able to keep myself from regretting bitterly the life that has brought me to such a pass; but I disown that regret. I now, weak, old, diseased, poor, dying, hold still my soul in my hands, and I regret nothing.

W. Somerset Maugham
Regret, Struggle, Hands

You're beginning to dislike me, aren't you? Well, dislike me. It doesn't make any difference to me now.

W. Somerset Maugham
Dislike Me, Differences, Wells
W. Somerset Maugham (2009). “The Painted Veil”, p.75, Random House

The subjunctive mood is in its death throes, and the best thing to do is to put it out of its misery as soon as possible.

W. Somerset Maugham
Misery, Mood, Things To Do
W. Somerset Maugham (2011). “A Writer's Notebook”, p.229, Random House

She [Sadie Thompson] gathered herself together. No one could describe the scorn of her expression or the contemptuous hatred she put into her answer. "You men! You filthy dirty pigs! You're all the same, all of you. Pigs! Pigs!"

W. Somerset Maugham
Dirty, Men, Pigs
"Altogether: Being the collected stories of W. Somerset Maugham (Rain)". Book by W. Somerset Maugham, 1934.

A soul is a troublesome possession, and when man developed it he lost the Garden of Eden.

W. Somerset Maugham
Men, Garden, Eden
W. Somerset Maugham (2002). “The Trembling of a Leaf”, p.84, Dixon Price Pub

She’s wonderful. Tell her I’ve never seen such beautiful hands. I wonder what she sees in you.” Waddington, smiling, translated the question. “She says I’m good.” “As if a woman ever loved a man for his virtue,” Kitty mocked.

W. Somerset Maugham
Beautiful, Men, Hands

I [Death] was astonished to see him in Baghdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.

W. Somerset Maugham
Death, Tonight, Baghdad
Sheppey act 3 (1933)

Make him laugh and he will think you a trivial fellow, but bore him in the right way and your reputation is assured.

W. Somerset Maugham
Book, Reading, Thinking
W. Somerset Maugham (1941). “the Gentleman in the Parlour”

Loving-kindness is the better part of goodness. It lends grace to the sterner qualities of which this consists.

W. Somerset Maugham
Kindness, Grace, Quality
W. Somerset Maugham (1954). “Mr. Maugham Himself”

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