# William Somerset Maugham

- Quotes: 131
- Author page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham

## Books

- [A Writer's Notebook](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/a-writers-notebook.md) — 17 quotes
- [Cakes And Ale](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/cakes-and-ale.md) — 7 quotes
- [Christmas Holiday](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/christmas-holiday.md) — 12 quotes
- [Of Human Bondage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage.md) — 26 quotes
- [The Gentleman In The Parlour](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-gentleman-in-the-parlour.md) — 4 quotes
- [The Moon And Sixpence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-moon-and-sixpence.md) — 25 quotes
- [The Razor's Edge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-razors-edge.md) — 16 quotes
- [The Summing Up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up.md) — 24 quotes

## Recently added quotes

> It may be that if I lead the life I've planned for myself it may affect others; the effect may be no greater than the ripple caused by a stone thrown in a pond, but one ripple causes another.

> Almost all the people who have had most effect on me I seem to have met by chance.

> She plunged into a sea of platitudes, and with the powerful breast stroke of a channel swimmer made her confident way towards the white cliffs of the obvious.

p. 189

> There is no object to life. To nature nothing matters but the continuation of the species.

p. 38

> He found himself now in the agreeable situation of being able to do what was best for others and at the same time what was convenient to himself.

> In the country the darkness of night is friendly and familiar, but in a city, with its blaze of lights, it is unnatural, hostile and menacing. It is like a monstrous vulture that hovers, biding its time.

p. 48

> It was not till quite late in life that I discovered how easy it is to say: "I don't know."

p. 258

> Passion doesn't count the cost. ... Passion is destructive.

> The sad Don Quixote of a worthless purpose.

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

p. 28

> Women are always glad to listen when you discourse upon love...

> Considering how foolishly people act and how pleasantly they prattle, perhaps it would be better for the world if they talked more and did less.

p. 1