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
kindness grace quality
Loving-kindness is the better part of goodness. It lends grace to the sterner qualities of which this consists.
writing men greatness
Because a man can write great works he is none the less a man.
mistake twenties made
I'm only twenty-five. If I've made a mistake I have time to correct it.
beauty beautiful beer
The mathematician who after seeing Phedre asked: 'Qu'est que ca prouve?' was not such a fool as he has been generally made out. No one has ever been able to explain why the Doric temple of Paestum is more beautiful than a glass of cold beer except by bringing in considerations that have nothing to do with beauty.
swimming people mediocre
Only mediocre people are at the best all the time.
mistake advice bats
I daresay one profits more by the mistakes one makes off one's own bat than by doing the right thing on somebody's else advice.
life pain men
The life force is vigorous. The delight that accompanies it counter-balances all the pains and hardships that confront men. It makes life worth living.
wine drink sherry
Sherry, the civilized drink.
inspirational teaching learning
The trouble is that thinking looks like loafing. Who wants to pay people for daydreaming?
writing cutting play
The secret of play-writing can be given in two maxims: stick to the point, and, whenever you can, cut.
men light air
The officers saluted as she passed and gravely bowed. They walked back across the courtyard and got into their chairs. She saw Waddington light a cigarette. A little smoke lost in the air, that was the life of a man.
heart love-is thinking
The tragedy of love is not death or separation. How long do you think it would have been before one or other of them ceased to care? Oh, it is dreadfully bitter to look at a woman whom you have loved with all your heart and soul, so that you felt you could not bear to let her out of your sight, and realize that you would not mind if you never saw her again. The tragedy of love is indifference.