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.
She could not admit but that he had remarkable qualities, sometimes she thought that there was even in him a strange and unattractive greatness; it was curious then that she could not love him, but loved still a man whose worthlessness was now so clear to her.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explores the complexity of love, highlighting how we can recognize someone's admirable traits yet remain unable to love them.
This quote by W. Somerset Maugham delves into the paradox of love and attraction. It reflects on the notion that a person can acknowledge the remarkable qualities of another without being able to form a romantic connection with them. In contrast, the speaker finds herself still in love with someone whose flaws are evident, suggesting that emotions often defy logic and reason. This emotional conflict underscores the complexities of relationships and the subjective nature of love.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about why we sometimes choose partners who are not good for us.
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.
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.
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Was not Jesus an extremist in love? - "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you."