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 MaughamRead
Are 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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Love can unexpectedly take hold of even the most careful individuals, and resisting it can be painful.
In this quote, W. Somerset Maugham explores the inevitability of falling in love, even for those who are cautious or prudent. The conversation reflects the complex nature of emotions and the struggle between desire and self-control, suggesting that love has the power to infiltrate one's heart despite a conscious effort to resist it, likened to the painful act of extracting a rotten tooth.
Themes
LoveEmotionHeartResistanceRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
During a wedding speech to highlight the unpredictable nature of love.
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