The world in general doesn't know what to make of originality; it is startled out of its comfortable habits of thought, and its first reaction is one of anger.
W. Somerset MaughamHe did not care upon what terms he satisfied his passion. He had even a mad, melodramatic idea to drug her.
W. Somerset MaughamThere's nothing the world loves more than a ready-made description which they can hang on to a man, and so save themselves all trouble in future.
W. Somerset MaughamYou are not angry with people when you laugh at them. Humour teaches tolerance, and the humorist, with a smile and perhaps a sigh, is more likely to shrug his shoulders than to condemn.
W. Somerset MaughamWhen some incident has shattered the career youโve mapped out for yourself, a folly, a crime or a misfortune, you mustnโt think youโre down and out. It may be a stroke of luck, and when you look back years later you may say to yourself that you wouldnโt for anything in the world exchange the new life disaster has forced upon you for the dull, humdrum existence you would have led if circumstances hadnโt intervened.
W. Somerset Maugham