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
Few misfortunes can befall a boy which bring worse consequence than to have a really affectionate mother.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Having a loving mother is a powerful influence on a boy's development, often leading to challenges.
This quote highlights the profound impact of a mother's affection on a boy's life. While such love is deeply beneficial, it also brings unique challenges, such as dependency or the pressure to meet emotional expectations, which can complicate the boy's personal growth and independence.
Themes
MotherAffectionFamilyChallengesConsequences
In practice
Example use cases
During a parenting seminar, this quote could be used to discuss the complexities of maternal relationships.
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.
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