793 Quotes by W. Somerset Maugham

Great writers create; writers of smaller gifts copy

Have common sense and stick to the point.

A novelist must preserve a childlike belief in the importance of things which common sense considers of no great consequence.

What does democracy come down to? The persuasive power of slogans invented by wily self-seeking politicians.

A woman will always sacrifice herself if you give her the opportunity. It is her favourite form of self indulgence.

You know what the critics are. If you tell the truth they only say you're cynical and it does an author no good to get a reputation for cynicism.

There is no need for the writer to eat a whole sheep to be able to tell you what mutton tastes like. It is enough if he eats a cutlet. But he should do that.

I thought it was only in revealed religion that a mistranslation improved the sense.

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