Author: W. Somerset Maugham

She plunged into a sea of platitudes, and with the powerful breast stroke of a channel swimmer, made her confident way towards the white cliffs of the obvious.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Communication Reading/Writing Reviews/Criticism

We have long passed the Victorian Era when asterisks were followed after a certain interval by a baby.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Communication Language

At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Communication Conversation Speech

Only a mediocre person is always at his best.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Characteristics

Which is he playing now?

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Reviews/Criticism

It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Life

However harmless a thing is, if the law forbids it most people will think it wrong.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Government Law

Perfection is what American women expect to find in their husbands… but English women only hope to find in their butlers.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
America Characteristics England Husbands Women

I don’t know why it is that the religious never ascribe common sense to God.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Beliefs Religion

Anyone can tell the truth, but only very few of us can make epigrams.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Characteristics Communication Language Reading/Writing Truth

Love is what happens to a man and woman who don't know each other.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Emotions Love Men People Women

She plunged into a sea of platitudes, and with the powerful breast stroke of a channel swimmer made her confident way towards the white cliffs of the obvious.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Reading/Writing Reviews/Criticism

Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatever to do with it.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Death

The trouble with young writers is that they are all in their sixties.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Age Communication Reading/Writing

The ability to quote is a serviceable substitute for wit.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Communication Language Reading/Writing Speech

If you want to eat well in England, eat three breakfasts.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Eating Food/Drink Places

You know that the Tasmanians, who never committed adultery, are now extinct.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Marriage Sex

She had a pretty gift for quotation, which is a serviceable substitute for wit.

(1874 – 1965) English dramatist & novelist
Communication Reading/Writing