It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it is too late. It does not improve the temper. W. Somerset Maugham More Quotes by W. Somerset Maugham More Quotes From W. Somerset Maugham Writing is the supreme solace. W. Somerset Maugham solacesupremewriting Perfection is a trifle dull. It is not the least of life's ironies that this, which we all aim at, is better not quite achieved. W. Somerset Maugham ironyperfectiondull Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul. W. Somerset Maugham adventuretravelart When you're eighteen your emotions are violent, but they're not durable. W. Somerset Maugham high-schoolemotionage A dictator must fool all the people all the time and there's only one way to do that, he must also fool himself. W. Somerset Maugham atheismpeopleway Simplicity and naturalness are the truest marks of distinction. W. Somerset Maugham markdistinctionsimplicity Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. W. Somerset Maugham excessinspirationallife It was such a beautiful day I decided to stay in bed. W. Somerset Maugham beautiful-daybedbeautiful The mystic sees the ineffable, and the psychopathologist the unspeakable. W. Somerset Maugham mysticineffableatheism Any society that values wealth above freedom will lose its freedom, and will ultimately lose its wealth as well W. Somerset Maugham wealthwellspolitics At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely. W. Somerset Maugham happy-new-yearcleverinspirational It is astonishing how many books I find there is no need for me to read at all. W. Somerset Maugham astonishingbookneeds We do not write as we want, but as we can. W. Somerset Maugham beautifulinspirationallife Do you know that conversation is one of the greatest pleasures in life? But it wants leisure. W. Somerset Maugham leisurewantlife Perhaps it would have been possible to see in him a new Prometheus...the hero who for the good of mankind exposes himself to the agonies of the damned...undaunted by failure, by an unceasing effort of courage holding despair at bay, doggedly persistent in the face of self-doubt, which is the artist's bitterest enemy. W. Somerset Maugham selfheroart A soul is a troublesome possession, and when man developed it he lost the Garden of Eden. W. Somerset Maugham gardenedenmen If you don't change your beliefs, your life will be like this forever. Is that good news? W. Somerset Maugham changemotivationalbelieve Words have weight, sound and appearance; it is only by considering these that you can write a sentence that is good to look at and good to listen to. W. Somerset Maugham soundwritinglooks A writer need not devour a whole sheep in order to know what mutton tastes like, but he must at least eat a chop. Unless he gets his facts right, his imagination will lead him into all kinds of nonsense, and the facts he is most likely to get right are the facts of his own experience. W. Somerset Maugham imaginationsheeporder The crown of literature is poetry. It is its end and aim. It is the sublimest activity of the human mind. It is the achievement of beauty and delicacy. The writer of prose can only step aside when the poet passes. W. Somerset Maugham achievementpoetrymind
