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W. Somerset Maugham

W. Somerset Maugham Quotes

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Famous W. Somerset Maugham Quotes

“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.”

ThinkingShouldMindWellsPersonsImportantPositionEarsTreatedPoisonSubordinatesSusceptiblePatronAnimosityProvokedImportant Person
Author:W. Somerset Maugham
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“Why should you think that beauty, which is the most precious thing in the world, lies like a stone on the beach for the careless passer-by to pick up idly? Beauty is something wonderful and strange that the artist fashions out of the chaos of the world in the torment of his soul. And when he has made it, it is not given to all to know it. To recognize it you must repeat the adventure of the artist. It is a melody that he sings to you, and to hear it again in your own heart you want knowledge and sensitiveness and imagination.”

ThinkingKnowsWorldWantShouldHeartMadeSoulLyingArtistGivenImaginationWonderfulFashionStrangeAdventurePicksStonesChaosMade ItBeachRepeatsMelodyTormentCarelessPrecious Things
Book:The Essential W. Somerset Maugham Collection
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“You will find as you grow older that the first thing needful to make the world a tolerable place to live in is to recognize the inevitable selfishness of humanity. You demand unselfishness from others, which is a preposterous claim that they should sacrifice their desires to yours. Why should they? When you are reconciled to the fact that each is for himself in the world you will ask less from your fellows. They will not disappoint you, and you will look upon them more charitably. Men seek but one thing in life -- their pleasure.”

MenWorldShouldFirstsLooksFactsDesireHumanityAsksGrowsPleasureOne ThingSacrificeDemandClaimsFellowsInevitableSelfishnessThings In LifeDisappointPlaces To LiveTolerableUnselfishnessHuman Bondage
Author:W. Somerset Maugham
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“You've been brought up like a gentleman and a Christian, and I should be false to the trust laid upon me by your dead father and mother if I allowed you to expose yourself to such temptation.' Well, I know I'm not a Christian and I'm beginning to doubt whether I'm a gentleman,' said Philip.”

IfsKnowsShouldWellsSaidChristianMotherFatherDoubtTemptationGentlemanPhilipDead Father
Book:Of Human Bondage (Diversion Classics)
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“Are you sure you can prevent yourself from falling in love one of these days? Such things do happen, you know, even to the most prudent men.' Simon gave him a strange, one might even have thought a hostile, look. I should tear it out of my heart as I'd wrench out of my mouth a rotten tooth.”

KnowsMenShouldLooksHeartMightHappensFallTearsStrangeMy HeartMouthsFalling In LoveTeethThese DaysHostileRottenPrudentWrenches
Book:Christmas Holiday
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“As we grow older we become more conscious of the complexity, incoherence, and unreasonableness of human beings; this indeed is the only excuse that offers for the middle-aged or elderly writer whose thoughts should more properly be turned to graver matters, occupying himself with the trivial concerns of imaginary people.”

PeopleIfsMenShouldHumansRealMatterGrowsHuman BeingsFictionStudyMiddleMankindFiguresOffersCreaturesConsciousConcernExcuseSignificantReal LifeComplexitySensibleImaginaryIrrationalElderlyMiddle AgedIncoherenceOccupy Yourself
Author:W. Somerset Maugham
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