W. Somerset Maugham quotes - page 8

Perfection has one grave defect: it is apt to be dull. (W. Somerset Maugham)
Have common sense and stick to the point. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
It is an illusion that youth is happy, an illusion of those who have lost it. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
It is well known that Beauty does not look with a good grace on the timid advances of Humour. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
Writing is the supreme solace. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
Passion doesn't count the cost. ... Passion is destructive. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
[...] the Eternal turned his attention to the three shades who stood humbly and yet hopefully before him. The quick, with so short a time to live, when they talk of themselves, talk too much; but the dead, with eternity before them, are so verbose that only angels could listen to them with civility. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
Its a toss-up when you decide to leave the beaten track. Many are called, few are chosen. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
If the Russians want us to look upon them as a civilised people, why don't they talk a civilised language? View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
As if a woman ever loved a man for his virtue. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
Charm and nothing but charm at last grows a little tiresome. It's a relief then to deal with a man who isn't quite so delightful but a little more sincere. (W. Somerset Maugham)
I always find it more difficult to say the things I mean than the things I don't. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
If nobody spoke unless he had something to say, the human race would very soon lose the use of speech. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
One can be very much in love with a woman without wishing to spend the rest of one's life with her. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
One cannot find peace in work or in pleasure, in the world or in a convent, but only in one's soul. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
Remember that it is nothing to do your duty, that is demanded of you and is no more meritorious than to wash your hands when they are dirty; the only thing that counts is the love of duty; when love and duty are one, then grace is in you and you will enjoy a happiness which passes all understanding. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
There is only one way to win hearts and that is to make oneself like unto those of whom one would be loved. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
Women are often under the impression that men are much more madly in love with them than they really are. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
A God that can be understood is no God. Who can explain the Infinite in words? View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
A man ought to work. That's what he's here for. That's how he contributes to the welfare of the community. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
A mother only does her children harm if she makes them the only concern of her life. (W. Somerset Maugham)
All important persons have about them someone in a subordinate position who has their ear. These dependents are very susceptible to slights, and, when they are not treated as they think they should be, will by well-directed shafts, constantly repeated, poison the minds of their patrons against those who have provoked their animosity. It is well to keep in with them. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
An author spends months writing a book, and maybe puts his heart's blood into it, and then it lies about unread till the reader has nothing else in the world to do. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
I like manual labor. Whenever I've got waterlogged with study, I've taken a spell of it and found it spiritually invigorating. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham
I never spend more than one hour in a gallery. That is as long as one's power of appreciation persists. View quote
W. Somerset Maugham