It is unsafe to take your reader for more of a fool than he is.

Quote by W -Somerset Maugham

Topics: W Somerset Maugham Quotes

The great American novel has not only already been written, it has already been rejected.

The great American novel has not only already been written, it has already been rejected.

Have common sense and stick to the point.

Have common sense and stick to the point.

Life is so largely controlled by chance that its conduct can be but a perpetual...

Life is so largely controlled by chance that its conduct can be but a perpetual...

If a man should importune me to give a reason why I loved him, I...

If a man should importune me to give a reason why I loved him, I...

It wasn't until late in life that I discovered how easy it is to say...

It wasn't until late in life that I discovered how easy it is to say...

There are two good things in life - freedom of thought and freedom of action.

There are two good things in life - freedom of thought and freedom of action.

If a man hasn't what's necessary to make a woman love him, it's his fault,...

If a man hasn't what's necessary to make a woman love him, it's his fault,...

It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering...

It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering...

Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature...

Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature...

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a...

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a...

No egoism is so insufferable as that of the Christian with regard to his soul.

No egoism is so insufferable as that of the Christian with regard to his soul.

Habits in writing as in life are only useful if they are broken as soon...

Habits in writing as in life are only useful if they are broken as soon...

An unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to...

An unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to...

It's very hard to be a gentleman and a writer.

It's very hard to be a gentleman and a writer.

You know what the critics are. If you tell the truth they only say you're...

You know what the critics are. If you tell the truth they only say you're...

At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well...

At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well...

Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its...

Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its...

By the time a man notices that he is no longer young, his youth has...

By the time a man notices that he is no longer young, his youth has...

It is astonishing how little one feels alone when one loves.

It is astonishing how little one feels alone when one loves.

When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and bring joy, care enough...

When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and bring joy, care enough...

Funny thing how you first meet the woman that you marry. I first met the...

Funny thing how you first meet the woman that you marry. I first met the...