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
Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Imagination develops and becomes stronger with practice, especially in adults.
This quote emphasizes the idea that imagination is not just a trait of youth but can continue to grow and flourish with experience and effort. It suggests that adults can harness and cultivate their creative capacities, potentially surpassing the imaginative abilities of younger individuals.
Themes
ImaginationGrowthCreativityExercisePower
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about creativity in the workplace.
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.
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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.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
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