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
Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.
Interpretation
Tradition should serve as a helpful guide in life rather than constrain one's freedom.
This quote by W. Somerset Maugham emphasizes the idea that tradition can provide valuable insights and direction but should not be treated as a strict rule that limits personal freedom and growth. It suggests a balanced approach where one can appreciate and learn from traditions while still feeling free to innovate and make individual choices.
In practice
In a speech at a cultural event to emphasize the value of heritage without losing individuality.
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.
The self says, I am; The heart says, I am less; The spirit says, you are Nothing.
The antidote to this abuse of formal Government, is, the influence of private character, the growth of the Individual.
What ever the course of our lives, we should recieve them as the highest gift from the hand of God, in which equally reposed the power to do nothing whatever for us. Indeed, we should accept misfortune not only in thanks, but in infinite gratitude to Providence, which by such means detaches us from an excessive love for Earthly things and elevates our minds to the celestial and divine.
We often assume that if we are good people we will not suffer the ills of the world.
Keep in mind that the true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good.
He walked on in silence, the solitary sound of his footsteps echoing in his head, as in a deserted street, at dawn. His solitude was so complete, beneath a lovely sky as mellow and serene as a good conscience, amid that busy throng, that he was amazed at his own existence; he must be somebody else's nightmare, and whoever it was would certainly awaken soon.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.