The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.

Quote by W -Somerset Maugham

Topics: W Somerset Maugham Quotes

Considering how foolishly people act and how pleasantly they prattle, perhaps it would be better...

Considering how foolishly people act and how pleasantly they prattle, perhaps it would be better...

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

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

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...

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...

I can imagine no more comfortable frame of mind for the conduct of life than...

I can imagine no more comfortable frame of mind for the conduct of life than...

The world in general doesn't know what to make of originality; it is startled out...

The world in general doesn't know what to make of originality; it is startled out...

If you want to eat well in England, eat three breakfasts.

If you want to eat well in England, eat three breakfasts.

The most useful thing about a principle is that it can always be sacrificed to...

The most useful thing about a principle is that it can always be sacrificed to...

We know our friends by their defects rather than by their merits.

We know our friends by their defects rather than by their merits.

Impropriety is the soul of wit.

Impropriety is the soul of wit.

Perfection has one grave defect: it is apt to be dull.

Perfection has one grave defect: it is apt to be dull.

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.

Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve-racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs...

Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve-racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs...

People ask for criticism, but they only want praise.

People ask for criticism, but they only want praise.

Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.

Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.

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...