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
For the complete life, the perfect pattern includes old age as well as youth and maturity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life incorporates all stages, including youth, maturity, and old age, forming a complete pattern.
W. Somerset Maugham's quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing and accepting the entirety of life, which encompasses not just the exuberance of youth but also the wisdom that comes with maturity and the reflection found in old age. It's a reminder that each phase contributes to the fullness of our experiences and personal growth, urging us to value every stage we encounter.
Themes
LifeAgeYouthMaturityWisdomExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on aging, one might quote Maugham to illustrate the necessity of embracing all life stages.
More from W. Somerset Maugham
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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.
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I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present.
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The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.
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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.
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