A man ought to work. That's what he's here for. That's how he contributes to the welfare of the community. W. Somerset Maugham More Quotes by W. Somerset Maugham More Quotes From 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. W. Somerset Maugham writingbooklying You are not angry with people when you laugh at them. Humor teaches tolerance. W. Somerset Maugham laughterhumorpeople I'd sooner be smashed into a mangled pulp by a bus when we cross the street than look forward to a life like yours. W. Somerset Maugham buscrosseslooks The important thing was to love rather than to be loved. W. Somerset Maugham importantlovelife In Hollywood, the women are all peaches. It makes one long for an apple occasionally. W. Somerset Maugham appleshollywoodlong If you want to eat well in England, eat three breakfasts. W. Somerset Maugham wantfoodbreakfast I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present. W. Somerset Maugham timepastthinking Tradition is a guide and not a jailer. W. Somerset Maugham social-justicediversityteaching The best style is the style you don't notice. W. Somerset Maugham creative-writingstylewriting My own belief is that there is hardly anyone whose sexual life, if it were broadcast, would not fill the world at large with surprise and horror. W. Somerset Maugham gaylifesex 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. W. Somerset Maugham marriagewittyfunny It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one's dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham dignity-of-workwealthindependent I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp. W. Somerset Maugham inspirationwritingmorning A good style should show no signs of effort. What is written should seem a happy accident. W. Somerset Maugham effortstylewriting 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. W. Somerset Maugham guiltwritingmen Like all weak men he laid an exaggerated stress on not changing one's mind. W. Somerset Maugham weak-manstressmen Often the best way to overcome desire is to satisfy it. W. Somerset Maugham temptationdesireway It might be that to surrender to happiness was to accept defeat, but it was a defeat better than many victories. W. Somerset Maugham defeatvictorymight Each one of us is alone in the world. He is shut in a tower of brass, and can communicate with his fellows only by signs, and the signs have no common value, so that their sense is vague and uncertain. We seek pitifully to convey to others the treasures of our heart, but they have not the power to accept them, and so we go lonely, side by side but not together, unable to know our fellows and unknown by them. W. Somerset Maugham lonelytogetherheart If it is necessary sometimes to lie to others, it is always despicable to lie to oneself. W. Somerset Maugham self-deceptionsometimeslying
