W. Somerset Maugham
Birthday: 25 January 1874, Paris, France
Birth Name: William Somerset Maugham
Popular British novelist, playwright, short-story writer and the highest-paid author in the world in the 1930s, Somerset Maugham graduated in 1897 from St. Thomas' Medical School and qualified as ...Show More
[ describing the French Riviera] A sunny place for shady people.
[ describing the French Riviera] A sunny place for shady people.
Being famous is like having a string of pearls given you. It's nice, but after a while, if you think Show more
Being famous is like having a string of pearls given you. It's nice, but after a while, if you think of it at all, it's only to wonder if they're real or cultured. Hide
A woman will always sacrifice herself if you give her the opportunity. It is her favorite form of se Show more
A woman will always sacrifice herself if you give her the opportunity. It is her favorite form of self-indulgence. Hide
It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and then they are Show more
It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and then they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved. Hide
Life is too short to do anything for oneself that one can pay others to do for one.
Life is too short to do anything for oneself that one can pay others to do for one.
When I was young the conception of a gentlemen had value. Now, not only what it stood for but the wo Show more
When I was young the conception of a gentlemen had value. Now, not only what it stood for but the word itself has become vaguely objectionable. Outside lavatories you will often see 'Ladies' on the door of one, but 'Men' on the door of another. Hide
It is a funny thing about life. If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it Show more
It is a funny thing about life. If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it. Hide
If 50 million people say a foolish thing, it's still a foolish thing.
If 50 million people say a foolish thing, it's still a foolish thing.
The humorist has a good eye for the humbug: he does not always recognize the saint.
The humorist has a good eye for the humbug: he does not always recognize the saint.
Every writer hits now and then upon a thought that seems to him so happy, a repartee that amuses him Show more
Every writer hits now and then upon a thought that seems to him so happy, a repartee that amuses him so much, that to cut it is worse than having a tooth out. It is then that it is well to have engraved on his heart the maxim, If you can cut, cut. Hide
In a story, as in a play, you must make up your mind what your point is and stick to it like grim de Show more
In a story, as in a play, you must make up your mind what your point is and stick to it like grim death. Hide
In France, a man who has ruined himself for women is generally regarded with sympathy and admiration Show more
In France, a man who has ruined himself for women is generally regarded with sympathy and admiration. There is a feeling that it was worthwhile, and the man who has done it feels even a certain pride in the fact. In England, he will be thought and will think himself a damned fool. Hide
Art, if it is to be reckoned as one of the great values of life, must teach men humility, tolerance, Show more
Art, if it is to be reckoned as one of the great values of life, must teach men humility, tolerance, wisdom and magnanimity. The value of art is not beauty, but right action. Hide
To have learnt to play a good game of bridge is the safest insurance against the tedium of old age.
To have learnt to play a good game of bridge is the safest insurance against the tedium of old age.
In Hollywood, the women are all peaches. It makes one long for an apple occasionally.
In Hollywood, the women are all peaches. It makes one long for an apple occasionally.
Looking back upon my work in my old age, I am disposed to regard it very modestly and to admit frank Show more
Looking back upon my work in my old age, I am disposed to regard it very modestly and to admit frankly some of its shortcomings. Hide
At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely.
At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely.
I do not think I am any better or any worse than most people, but I know that if I set down every ac Show more
I do not think I am any better or any worse than most people, but I know that if I set down every action in my mind and every thought that has crossed my mind, the world would consider me a monster of depravity. Hide
No one can be original by trying.
No one can be original by trying.
She plunged into a sea of platitudes and, with the powerful breast stroke of a channel swimmer, made Show more
She plunged into a sea of platitudes and, with the powerful breast stroke of a channel swimmer, made her confident way towards the white cliffs of the obvious. Hide
[on death and life] It wasn't until quite late in life that I discovered how easy it was to say, 'I Show more
[on death and life] It wasn't until quite late in life that I discovered how easy it was to say, 'I don't know.' Hide
Few misfortunes can befall a boy which bring worse consequence than to have a really affectionate mo Show more
Few misfortunes can befall a boy which bring worse consequence than to have a really affectionate mother. Hide
Sentimentality is the only sentiment that rubs you the wrong way.
Sentimentality is the only sentiment that rubs you the wrong way.
W. Somerset Maugham's FILMOGRAPHY
All
as Actor (3)
as Director (1)
as Creator (3)
