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
A writer need not devour a whole sheep in order to know what mutton tastes like, but he must at least eat a chop. Unless he gets his facts right, his imagination will lead him into all kinds of nonsense, and the facts he is most likely to get right are the facts of his own experience.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Writers should draw from their own experiences and knowledge to create authentic narratives.
This quote emphasizes the importance of grounding one's creative writing in real experiences and factual knowledge. Maugham suggests that while a writer doesn't need to fully immerse themselves in every aspect of a subject, they do need to have some first-hand experience or understanding to avoid creating absurd or misleading content. The essence of creativity is enriched through personal encounters and insights reflected in one's writing.
Themes
WritingExperienceCreativityImaginationAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a writing workshop to encourage participants to reflect on their personal experiences.
More from W. Somerset Maugham
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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.
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