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He had heard people speak contemptuously of money: he wondered if they had ever tried to do without it.
W. Somerset Maugham
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote questions the disdain some people express towards money, highlighting its essential role in life.

In this quote, W. Somerset Maugham reflects on the attitude some individuals have towards money, suggesting that their contempt may stem from a lack of personal experience with financial struggle. Maugham implies that those who criticize money might not fully understand its importance and the challenges that arise from living without it.

Themes

MoneyContemptImportanceLifeStruggle

In practice

Example use cases

Use this quote in a discussion about the value of money in achieving goals.

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Quote by W. Somerset Maugham | QuoteProject