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
The fact that a great many people believe something is no guarantee of its truth.
Interpretation
Popularity does not determine the validity of an idea or belief.
This quote suggests that the mere belief of a large number of people in an idea does not necessarily make that idea true or valid. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and questioning widely held beliefs instead of accepting them just because they are popular.
In practice
During a debate about social issues, this quote can be used to remind people to question popular opinions.
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.
Cronshaw 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.
Events, circumstances, etc., have their origin in ourselves. They spring from seeds which we have sown.
When I wake up, I wake to something worse. It’s the astonishment of being myself
I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
It's been months since I last wrote. I've lived in a state of mental slumber, leading the life of someone else. I've felt, very often, a vicarious happiness. I haven't existed. I've been someone else. I've lived without thinking.
Under conditions of peace the warlike man attacks himself.
Their whole life depends on spending money, and now they’ve got none to spend. That’s our civilization and our education: bring up the masses to depend entirely on spending money, and then the money gives out.
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