Literature

From W. Somerset Maugham’s "The Happy Man"

The opening lines of the great author’s (very) short story: “It is a dangerous thing […]

David Zahl / 2.23.11

The opening lines of the great author’s (very) short story:

“It is a dangerous thing to order the lives of others and I have often wondered at the self-confidence of politicians, reformers and suchlike who are prepared to force upon their fellows measures that must alter their manners, habits, and points of view. I have always hesitated to give advice, for how can one advise another how to act unless one knows that other as well as one knows oneself? Heaven knows, I know little enough of myself.”