Cronshaw stopped for a moment to drink. He had pondered for twenty years the problem whether he loved liquor because it made him talk or whether he loved conversation because it made him thirsty.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success can lead to humility and kindness rather than arrogance and vanity.
W. Somerset Maugham's quote challenges the belief that success corrupts individuals, suggesting instead that achieving success often instills humility and tolerance in people. He argues that rather than becoming egotistical or self-satisfied, truly successful individuals tend to become more compassionate and understanding, reflecting a deeper character that is shaped by their experiences and accomplishments.
Themes
SuccessHumilityKindnessTolerancePersonality
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about achieving dreams, one could use this quote to inspire people to remain humble.
More from W. Somerset Maugham
All quotes βAre you sure you can prevent yourself from falling in love one of these days? Such things do happen, you know, even to the most prudent men.' Simon gave him a strange, one might even have thought a hostile, look. I should tear it out of my heart as I'd wrench out of my mouth a rotten tooth.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
There in the mist, enormous, majestic, silent and terrible, stood the Great Wall of China. Solitarily, with the indifference of nature herself, it crept up the mountain side and slipped down to the depth of the valley.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
For the complete life, the perfect pattern includes old age as well as youth and maturity.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
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