“Old age is ready to undertake tasks that youth shirked because they would take too long.”

— W. Somerset Maugham, The Summing Up, 1938, p. 290

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.”

“The older I grow, the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom.”

“The instructions of an old man are precious.”

“Old age deprives the intelligent man only of qualities useless to wisdom.”

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.”

“I call upon you, young men, to obey your heart, and be the nobility of this land.”

“The young have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations.”