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
What has influenced my life more than any other single thing has been my stammer. Had I not stammered I would probably... have gone to Cambridge as my brothers did, perhaps have become a don and every now and then published a dreary book about French literature.
Interpretation
A stammer profoundly shaped the author's life choices and experiences.
W. Somerset Maugham reflects on how his stammer, which he viewed as a limitation, had a significant influence on his life path. Instead of following a conventional academic career like his brothers, the challenges of his speech impediment led him to explore different opportunities, ultimately shaping his identity and contributions as a writer.
In practice
During a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles, one might say, 'As W. Somerset Maugham once noted, his stammer influenced his life in unexpected ways.'
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.
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
Being nice doesn’t make you stupid. It makes you feel good because you know you are gracious enough to forgive and smart enough to realize how distasteful some people can be.
Now all my teachers are dead except silence.
Seek advice, but make sure it's from someone who has successfully handled mistakes or adversities.
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
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