People ask for criticism, but they only want praise.

—W. Somerset Maugham

criticism hypocrisy praise

About W. Somerset Maugham

Portrait of W. Somerset Maugham

William Somerset Maugham ( MAWM; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories.

More quotations from W. Somerset Maugham

Silence is one of the great arts of conversation, as allowed by Cicero himself, who says, 'there is not only an art, but an eloquence in it.' A well bred woman may easily and effectually promote the most useful and elegant conversation without speaking a word. The modes of speech are scarcely more variable than the modes of silence.

—W. Somerset Maugham

silence conversation talking elegance

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

—W. Somerset Maugham

The Americans, who are the most efficient people on earth,… have invented so wide a range of pithy and hackneyed phrases that they can carry on a conversation without giving a moment's reflection to what they are saying and so leave their minds free to consider the more important matters of big business and fornication.

—W. Somerset Maugham

sex conversation americans business cliche

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

—W. Somerset Maugham

wonder waking up

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

—W. Somerset Maugham

habit excess moderation

More quotations tagged with “praise”

It would not be possible to praises nurses too highly.

—Stephen Ambrose

Neither blame or praise yourself.

self blame praise

The Amen of nature is always a flower.

—Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

nature flowers praise

I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.

—Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

I do not confer praise or blame: I accept. I am the measure of all things. I am the centre of the world.

—W. Somerset Maugham

acceptance blame praise

History

11 Jul 2015 Added