W. Somerset Maugham
W. Somerset Maugham
William Somerset Maugham CHwas a British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author during the 1930s...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionPlaywright
Date of Birth25 January 1874
country night light
In the country the darkness of night is friendly and familiar, but in a city, with its blaze of lights, it is unnatural, hostile and menacing. It is like a monstrous vulture that hovers, biding its time.
independent dignity-of-work wealth
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one's dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent.
giving-up unfortunate-things world
An unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to give up than the bad ones.
men ideas world
I have an idea that the only thing which makes it possible to regard this world we live in without disgust is the beauty which now and then men create out of the chaos.
mistake thinking funny-marriage
Marriage is a very good thing, but I think it's a mistake to make a habit out of it.
funny marriage witty
A man marries to have a home, but also because he doesn't want to be bothered with sex and all that sort of thing.
art travel adventure
Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul.
love life change
The great tragedy of life is not that men perish, but that they cease to love.
courage character giving
To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give.
envy gossip people
People ask for criticism, but they only want praise.
writing men guilt
There is a sort of man who pays no attention to his good actions, but is tormented by his bad ones. This is the type that most often writes about himself.
way looks whiskey
Some of us look for the Way in opium and some in God, some of us in whiskey and some in love. It is all the same Way and it leads nowhither.
wisdom regret life-is
The most valuable thing I have learned from life is to regret nothing.
writing crafts difficult
To write simply is as difficult as to be good.