QuoteProject
For men, as a rule, love is but an episode which takes place among the other affairs of the day, and the emphasis laid on it in novels gives it an importance which is untrue to life. There are few men to whom it is the most important thing in the world, and they are not the very interesting ones; even women, with whom the subject is of paramount interest, have a contempt for them.
W. Somerset Maugham
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Maugham suggests that love is often overemphasized in literature and is not as central in men's lives as commonly portrayed.

In this quote, W. Somerset Maugham critically examines the cultural portrayal of love, particularly in novels, arguing that for most men, love is merely a temporary distraction amidst their daily responsibilities. He proposes that while love may be significant for women, the stereotype of it being a man's foremost concern is misleading and often trivializes the complex nature of human relationships.

Themes

LoveRelationshipsMenLiteratureImportance

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the nature of relationships, this quote can highlight the contrast between literary depictions of love and real-life priorities.

More from W. Somerset Maugham

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
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
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.
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

Similar quotes

I think I’ve developed this pattern of running away when it comes time to fall in love and stay in a relationship.
Taylor SwiftRead
There are many things my father taught me here in this room. He taught me: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
Al PacinoRead
Sometimes, we get numb to the fact that people get sent away. We don't see where they are; we say they are 'doing time,' and you really don't know what that is.
Malcolm JenkinsRead
Do unto others 20% better than you would expect them to do unto you, to correct for subjective error.
Linus PaulingRead
When it comes time to settle down, find someone who wants an equal partner. Someone who thinks women should be smart, opinionated, and ambitious.
Sheryl SandbergRead
Loneliness had taught Harriet that there was always someone who understood - it was just so often that they were dead, and in a book.
Eva IbbotsonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.