Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul. W. Somerset Maugham Art
Money is the string with which a sardonic destiny directs the motions of its puppets. W. Somerset Maugham Money
It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering for the most part, makes men petty and vindictive. W. Somerset Maugham Men
Beauty is an ecstasy; it is as simple as hunger. There is really nothing to be said about it. It is like the perfume of a rose: you can smell it and that is all. W. Somerset Maugham Beauty
Any nation that thinks more of its ease and comfort than its freedom will soon lose its freedom; and the ironical thing about it is that it will lose its ease and comfort too. W. Somerset Maugham Freedom
What makes old age hard to bear is not the failing of one's faculties, mental and physical, but the burden of one's memories. W. Somerset Maugham Age
When you choose your friends, don't be short-changed by choosing personality over character. W. Somerset Maugham Friendship
We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person. W. Somerset Maugham Anniversary
At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely. W. Somerset Maugham Newyears
I can imagine no more comfortable frame of mind for the conduct of life than a humorous resignation. W. Somerset Maugham Humor
Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatsoever to do with it. W. Somerset Maugham Death
It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it. W. Somerset Maugham Funny
The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind. W. Somerset Maugham Success
Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young. W. Somerset Maugham Imagination
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one's dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham Independence
Marriage is a very good thing, but I think it's a mistake to make a habit out of it. W. Somerset Maugham Marriage
The artist produces for the liberation of his soul. It is his nature to create as it is the nature of water to run down the hill. W. Somerset Maugham Nature
The world in general doesn't know what to make of originality; it is startled out of its comfortable habits of thought, and its first reaction is one of anger. W. Somerset Maugham Anger