“Men are always the same. Fear makes them cruel.”

— W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, 1919, ch. 55

About W. Somerset Maugham

1874 – 1965

English playwright and novelist, author of "Of Human Bondage".

“The complete life, the perfect pattern, includes old age as well as youth and maturity.”

“Old age has its pleasures, which though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth.”

“You know, there are two good things in life, freedom of thought and freedom of action.”

“When in doubt, tell the truth.”

“I never "worry" about action, but only about inaction.”

“The superior man has neither anxiety nor fear.”

“Nothing is so much to be feared as fear.”

“You really only know when you know little. Doubt grows with knowledge.”

“Let those flatter who fear; it is not an American art.”