793 Quotes by W. Somerset Maugham

Few misfortunes can befall a boy which bring worse consequence than to have a really affectionate mother.

A good rule for writers: do not explain overmuch.

No woman is worth more than a fiver unless you're in love with her. Then she's worth all she costs you.

It is bad enough to know the past; it would be intolerable to know the future.

Loving-kindness is the better part of goodness.

The essence of the beautiful is unity in variety.

A soul is a troublesome possession, and when man developed it he lost the Garden of Eden.

I am afraid of people with too much charm. They devour you. In the end you are made a sacrifice to the exercise of their fascinating gift and their insincerity.

What I'm trying to tell you is that there are men who are possessed by an urge so strong to do some particular thing that they can't help themselves, they've got to do it. They're prepared to sacrifice everything to satisfy their yearning.