W. Somerset Maugham

When I was young, I was amazed at Plutarch’s statement that the elder Cato began at the age of eighty to learn Greek. I am amazed no longer. Old age is ready to undertake tasks that youth shirked because they would take too long.

—W. Somerset Maugham

The love that lasts the longest is the love that is never returned.

—W. Somerset Maugham

Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species.

—W. Somerset Maugham

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

—W. Somerset Maugham

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

—W. Somerset Maugham

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.

—W. Somerset Maugham

It was such a lovely day I thought it a pity to get up.

—W. Somerset Maugham

If you want change, you have to make it. If we want progress we have to drive it.

—W. Somerset Maugham

People ask for criticism, but they only want praise.

—W. Somerset Maugham

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

Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.

—W. Somerset Maugham

When you're eighteen your emotions are violent, but they're not durable.

—W. Somerset Maugham

The average American can get into the kingdom of heaven much more easily than he can get into the Boulevard St. Germain.

—W. Somerset Maugham