Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering, for the most part, makes men petty and vindictive.
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Summary
This quote suggests that suffering does not necessarily lead to the development of noble character traits. While happiness can potentially have a positive impact on one's character, the experience of suffering tends to have the opposite effect, often causing individuals to become small-minded and driven by a desire for revenge. Therefore, the quote emphasizes that suffering, rather than uplifting one's character, often leads to negative qualities and attitudes.