QuoteProject
Self-control might be as passionate and as active as the surrender to passion.
W. Somerset Maugham
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Self-control can be as intense and dynamic as giving in to one's passions.

This quote highlights the idea that self-control is not a passive or weak state; rather, it requires passion and active effort. Just as surrendering to passion can be an overwhelming experience, exercising control over one's impulses can be equally vigorous and full of emotion, indicating that both extremes hold significant value in the human experience.

Themes

Self-ControlPassionWisdomDisciplineEmotions

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared during a motivational seminar about personal development.

More from W. Somerset Maugham

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
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.
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.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
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

Similar quotes

If you can't say it simply and clearly, keep quiet, and keep working on it till you can.
Karl PopperRead
Men who are addicted to the passions are like the torch-carrier running against the wind; his hands are sure to be burned.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Have the guts to be true to yourself. Nothing more.
Robin SharmaRead
I'm a practical person. Most fashion people live in the clouds, and they're full of it. I live like a human being - or, I try to - and I have to be intelligent; I have to be practical. I'm a great believer in common sense, and the older I get, I see that common sense is not that common.
Iris ApfelRead
In America the young are always ready to give to those who are older than themselves the full benefits of their inexperience.
Oscar WildeRead
It is too late to be studying Hebrew; it is more important to understand even the slang of today.
Henry David ThoreauRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.