793 Quotes by W. Somerset Maugham

There are many foolish people in the world and when a man in a rather high position puts on no frills, slaps them on the back, and tells them he'll do anything in the world for them, they are very likely to think him clever.

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

It's asking a great deal that things should appeal to your reason as well as your sense of the aesthetic. - Of Human Bondage

The complete life, the perfect pattern, includes old age as well as youth and maturity. The beauty of the morning and the radiance of noon are good, but it would be a very silly person who drew the curtains and turned on the light in order to shut out the tranquillity of the evening. Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth.

The first duty of a woman is to be pretty, the second is to be well-groomed, and the third is never to contradict.

I promised myself that if ever I had some money that I would savor a cigar each day after lunch and dinner. This is the only resolution of my youth that I have kept, and the only realized ambition which has not brought disillusion.

It's no use crying over spilt milk, because all of the forces of the universe were bent on spilling it.

I'll give you my opinion of the human race in a nutshell... their heart's in the right place, but their head is a thoroughly inefficient organ.

"Do you like card tricks?" "No, I hate card tricks," I answered. "Well, I`ll just show you this one." He showed me three.