Quote by 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. Failure makes people bitter and cruel.

The common idea that success spoils people by making them va

Summary

This quote challenges the traditional belief that success corrupts individuals, suggesting instead that it often fosters humility and kindness. According to this perspective, success can counter the negative traits often associated with arrogance and self-centeredness. Conversely, failure is depicted as a catalyst for bitterness and cruelty. By highlighting the potential positive impact of success on a person's character, the quote challenges preconceived notions and suggests that achievements can lead to personal growth and compassion.

By W. Somerset Maugham

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

I sat up in the strange bed fearing it had been a dream, afr

I sat up in the strange bed fearing it had been a dream, afraid I would never see her again. Not because I wanted anything from her, only her presence. The disappearance of the presence of beauty is the most despairing of events on this time-wheel of ours that rolls onward towards death.

Fear Death Beauty Despair Night Beauty In Nature Bed Female Nocturnal Afraid Beauty In Literature Feminine Passing

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Life Change Inspirational Optimism

Language is a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for

Language is a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to, while all the time we long to move the stars to pity.

Gustave Flaubert

Language

An engaged woman is always more agreeable than a disengaged.

An engaged woman is always more agreeable than a disengaged. She is satisfied with herself. Her cares are over, and she feels that she may exert all her powers of pleasing without suspicion. All is safe with a lady engaged: no harm can be done.

I thought a lot about our Nation and what I should do as Pre

I thought a lot about our Nation and what I should do as President. And Sunday night before last, I made a speech about two problems of our countryenergy and malaise.

Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them,

Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that's what makes you strong.

Strength Inspirational Tough Times

As long as you understand that you find happiness through fa

As long as you understand that you find happiness through family, friends and love, then money is just a nice bonus.

Happiness

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by m

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Fate & Destiny

My opponent called me a cream puff. Well, I rushed out and g

My opponent called me a cream puff. Well, I rushed out and got the baker's union to endorse me.

Voting

The Internet is like a giant jellyfish. You can't step on it

The Internet is like a giant jellyfish. You can't step on it. You can't go around it. You've got to get through it.

Internet

I want to be part of the resurgence of things that are tangi

I want to be part of the resurgence of things that are tangible, beautiful and soulful, rather than just give in to the digital age. But when I talk to people about this they just say, 'Yeah, I know what you mean,' and stare at their mobiles.

Age

In the theater, while you recognized that you were looking a

In the theater, while you recognized that you were looking at a house, it was a house in quotation marks. On screen, the quotation marks tend to be blotted out by the camera.

Television