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
"Do you like card tricks?" "No, I hate card tricks," I answered. "Well, I`ll just show you this one." He showed me three.
Interpretation
This quote humorously depicts a situation where someone dislikes card tricks but is shown them anyway.
In this quote, W. Somerset Maugham captures a humorous dialog where the speaker, despite expressing a strong aversion to card tricks, is nonetheless subjected to experiencing them. This not only highlights the persistence of the other person but also underscores the absurdity of forcing someone to engage with something they dislike, often leading to comedic outcomes.
In practice
This quote could be used in a comedy stand-up routine to illustrate the absurdity of trying to change someone's preferences.
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.
I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.
This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible.
SIREN, n. One of several musical prodigies famous for a vain attempt to dissuade Odysseus from a life on the ocean wave. Figuratively, any lady of splendid promise, dissembled purpose and disappointing performance.
It is a cliche that most cliches are true, but then like most cliches, that cliche is untrue.
I thought such awful thoughts that I cannot even say them out loud because they would make Jesus want to drink gin straight out of the cat dish.
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