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
Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it.
Interpretation
Life is transient, making it important to appreciate the moment.
This quote emphasizes the impermanence of everything in life, suggesting that it is unwise to expect permanence. Instead, we should focus on enjoying and cherishing the experiences we have while they last, as they are fleeting and valuable.
In practice
During a wedding toast, one might say this quote to remind guests to cherish the fleeting moments.
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.
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.
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.
I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present.
The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.
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.
Power corrupts, and there is nothing more corrupting than power exercised in secret.
We don't need the Nazis to destroy us. We're destroying ourselves.
The day is for honest men, the night for thieves.
The fish in the water is silent, the animals on the earth is noisy, the bird in the air is singing. But man has in him the silence of the sea, the noise of the earth and the music of the air.
Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong.
We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but good for nothing
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