Art should be appreciated with passion and violence, not with a tepid, depreciating elegance that fears the censoriousness of a common room. W. Somerset Maugham More Quotes by W. Somerset Maugham More Quotes From W. Somerset Maugham I knew that suffering did not enoble; it degraded. It made men selfish, petty and suspicious. It absorbed them in small things...it made them less than men; and I wrote ferociously that we learn resignation not by our own suffering, but by the suffering of others. W. Somerset Maugham suffering-of-othersselfishmen I do not believe they are right who say that the defects of famous men should be ignored. I think it is better that we should know them. Then, though we are conscious of having faults as glaring as theirs, we can believe that that is no hindrance to our achieving also something of their virtues. W. Somerset Maugham inspirationallifebelieve Thank God, I can look at a sunset now without having to think how to describe it W. Somerset Maugham sunsetthank-godthinking Look after your laundry, and your soul will look after itself. W. Somerset Maugham thought-provokingsoulmotivational The great critic … must be a philosopher, for from philosophy he will learn serenity, impartiality, and the transitoriness of human things. W. Somerset Maugham philosopherserenityphilosophy It's always difficult to make conversation with a drunk, and there's no denying it, the sober are at a disadvantage with him. W. Somerset Maugham soberdrunkdrinking I don't think that women ought to sit down at table with men. It ruins conversation and I'm sure it's very bad for them. It puts ideas in their heads, and women are never at ease with themselves when they have ideas. W. Somerset Maugham menideasthinking The Riviera isn't only a sunny place for shady people. W. Somerset Maugham shadysunnypeople Art for art's sake makes no more sense than gin for gin's sake. W. Somerset Maugham advertisingsakeart Art, unless it leads to right action, is no more than the opium of an intelligentsia. W. Somerset Maugham moralityactionart He exulted in the possession of himself once more; he realized how much of the delight of the world he had lost when he was absorbed in that madness which they called love; he had had enough of it; he did not want to be in love anymore if love was that. W. Somerset Maugham delightwantworld 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. W. Somerset Maugham painmenlife Culture is not just an ornament; it is the expression of a nation's character, and at the same time it is a powerful instrument to mould character. The end of culture is right living. W. Somerset Maugham powerfulcharacterlife The secret of play-writing can be given in two maxims: stick to the point, and, whenever you can, cut. W. Somerset Maugham cuttingplaywriting But the only important thing in a book is the meaning it has for you; it may have other and much more profound meanings for the critic, but at second-hand they can be of small service to you. W. Somerset Maugham profoundbookhands Considering how foolishly people act and how pleasantly they prattle, perhaps it would be better for the world if they talked more and did less. W. Somerset Maugham would-bepeopleworld Writing is a wholetime job: no professional writer can afford only to write when he feels like it. W. Somerset Maugham writingfeelsjobs 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. W. Somerset Maugham falling-in-loveheartmen Art, if it is to be reckoned as one of the great values of life, must teach man humility, tolerance, wisdom and magnanimity. The value of art is not beauty, but right action. W. Somerset Maugham humilitymenart He did not care if she was heartless, vicious and vulgar, stupid and grasping, he loved her. He would rather have misery with one than happiness with the other. W. Somerset Maugham heartlessromancestupid
