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
You can do anything in this world if you are prepared to take the consequences.
Interpretation
What this quote means
To achieve anything, one must be willing to accept the potential outcomes and repercussions of their actions.
This quote emphasizes the importance of personal accountability and the willingness to face consequences while pursuing goals. It suggests that ambition and success come at a cost, and if one is ready to accept these costs, they can achieve their desires and aspirations in life.
Themes
ConsequencesSuccessAccountabilityAmbitionMotivation
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech, one might quote Maugham to inspire risk-taking among the audience.
More from W. Somerset Maugham
All quotes βCronshaw 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
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Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.
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Sometimes our best is simply not enough.... We have to do what is required.
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That's my gift. I let that negativity roll off me like water off a duck's back. If it's not positive, I didn't hear it. If you can overcome that, fights are easy.
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There's always ways of motivating yourself to higher levels. Write about it, dream about it. But after that, turn it into action. Don't just dream.
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I'm not a big believer in long-term planning and far-off goals. In fact, I generally set 3-month and 6-month dreamlines. The variables change too much and in-the-future distance becomes an excuse for postponing action.
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The surest way to lose at any endeavor is to quit.
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