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
Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.
Interpretation
Tradition should serve as a helpful guide in life rather than constrain one's freedom.
This quote by W. Somerset Maugham emphasizes the idea that tradition can provide valuable insights and direction but should not be treated as a strict rule that limits personal freedom and growth. It suggests a balanced approach where one can appreciate and learn from traditions while still feeling free to innovate and make individual choices.
In practice
In a speech at a cultural event to emphasize the value of heritage without losing individuality.
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.
You're not what you have and you're not what you do; you're aninfinite, divine being disguised as a successful person who has accumulated a certain amount of stuff. The stuff is not you. For that reason, you must avoid being attached to it in any way.
Churchill says the Government had to choose between war and shame. They chose shame. They will get war, too.
That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false.
Rights are best guarded when each person and group guards for others those rights they wish guarded for themselves.
I took out my watch and listened to it clicking away, not knowing it couldn't even lie
Living on $6 a day means you have a refrigerator, a TV, a cell phone, your children can go to school. That's not possible on $1 a day.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.