Quote of the day by William Somerset Maugham: 'We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if...' ; lessons on love from iconic British writer

Change is a natural and constant part of life. Over time, people evolve in their thoughts, feelings, and identities, and so do the ones they care about. Relationships are therefore not static; they require understanding and adaptation. The beauty lies in continuing to love someone even as both individuals transform. It suggests that lasting love is not about remaining the same, but about accepting growth and embracing new versions of each other. When two people can evolve separately yet stay emotionally connected, it becomes a rare and meaningful experience worth cherishing deeply over time.

Iconic British author William Somerset Maugham, reflected on how we undergo change throughout our lives and the healthiest relationships are those that acknowledged those changes.

Quote Of The Day By William Somerset Maugham On How We Change Through Life

“We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person,” he wrote in his 1938 book The Summing Up

Deeper Meaning Behind The Quote

In this reflective line by W. Somerset Maugham, the deeper meaning lies in the inevitability of personal change and the fragile nature of human relationships. People are constantly evolving—shaped by experiences, time, and shifting perspectives. The version of someone you love today will not remain unchanged, just as you yourself will grow into someone new.

The quote suggests that love is not simply about finding the right person once, but about repeatedly choosing to love them as they transform. It highlights how rare and fortunate it is when two people can grow independently yet remain emotionally connected. True love, therefore, is flexible and resilient—it adapts, accepts, and renews itself despite change. It is not permanence that defines love, but the willingness to embrace change together.

Relevance Of Maugham’s Observations

The relevance of this quote by W. Somerset Maugham feels especially strong in today’s fast-changing world. People constantly evolve due to career shifts, personal challenges, technology, and new experiences. Relationships are no longer defined by static roles but by the ability to adapt to these changes. The quote reminds us that love is not guaranteed to remain the same—it must be nurtured through understanding and acceptance of growth in both ourselves and others.

In modern times, where individual identity and personal development are highly valued, staying connected requires emotional flexibility. It highlights that enduring relationships are not about resisting change but embracing it together. The “happy chance” Maugham refers to underlines how rare it is for two people to grow in different directions yet still find common ground. This makes lasting love feel less like certainty and more like a meaningful, evolving choice.

Early Life and Education

William Somerset Maugham was a prominent British literary figure whose work spanned drama, fiction, and short stories. He entered the world on 25 January 1874 in Paris, where he spent his formative childhood years. After completing roughly a decade in France, he was sent to England for schooling, marking the beginning of a shift toward British academic and cultural life. His education later took him to Germany, where he attended university and broadened his intellectual exposure.

Maugham was born into a well-established legal family with strong professional roots. His grandfather, Robert Maugham, held considerable influence in the legal world and played a key role in founding the Law Society of England and Wales, establishing a legacy of prominence and respect within the profession.

Continuing this tradition, Maugham’s father, Robert Ormond Maugham, also built a successful career as a solicitor. He was professionally based in Paris, where he enjoyed financial stability and a reputable standing. Maugham’s mother, Edith Mary Snell, spent the majority of her life in France, and it was there that all of their children, including Somerset Maugham, were born.

Maugham experienced a deeply painful childhood marked by early loss. In January 1882, shortly after he turned eight, his mother succumbed to tuberculosis. The impact of her death stayed with him for the rest of his life. He later reflected that the grief never truly faded, describing it as an emotional scar that remained with him even in his later years. His attachment to her memory was so strong that he continued to keep her photograph beside his bed well into old age.

Tragedy struck again not long after. Roughly two and a half years following his mother’s passing, his father also died, leaving him orphaned at a young age. After this second loss, Maugham was sent from his earlier home to England, where he came under the care of his paternal uncle, Henry MacDonald Maugham. His uncle served as the vicar in the town of Whitstable, and it was there that Maugham spent the remainder of his childhood.

Rise as a Writer and Playwright

Maugham’s literary journey began with his debut novel Liza of Lambeth, which portrayed the harsh realities of impoverished urban communities. Although the book gained some recognition, his true breakthrough came in the theatre. He quickly established himself as a leading dramatist, achieving widespread fame. By 1908, he had reached an extraordinary milestone, with four of his plays being staged simultaneously in London’s West End, a testament to his popularity and commercial success.

Over time, however, his interest in theatre diminished. After completing his thirty-second play in 1933, he decided to step away from the stage and devote himself entirely to prose writing, particularly novels and short stories.

Major Literary Works

Following his early novel, Maugham produced several significant works that cemented his reputation. Among them, Of Human Bondage stands out as a deeply personal and introspective narrative, drawing heavily from his own life experiences. Other notable novels include The Moon and Sixpence, The Painted Veil, Cakes and Ale, and The Razor’s Edge, each reflecting his keen observation of human nature and society.

In addition to novels, he excelled in short fiction. His stories were compiled into collections such as The Casuarina Tree and The Mixture as Before. Many of these tales later found new life through adaptations for radio, film, and television, expanding his reach to wider audiences.

Critical Reception and Style

Maugham enjoyed immense popularity among readers, achieving remarkable commercial success. However, his widespread appeal also attracted criticism from more elitist literary circles, who often dismissed his work as lacking depth. Over time, these assessments evolved, and his contributions were re-evaluated more favorably. Today, Of Human Bondage is widely regarded as a literary masterpiece, and his short stories are appreciated for their craftsmanship and insight.

His writing style became known for its clarity and straightforwardness, making his works accessible to a broad readership. Nevertheless, some critics pointed out his occasional reliance on familiar expressions, which they viewed as a weakness.

Although W. Somerset Maugham first gained recognition through his work in theatre, his lasting reputation from the 1930s onward has been primarily built on his novels and short fiction. Over time, readers and critics alike came to associate his name more with his storytelling in prose than with his contributions to the stage.

His literary output was remarkably extensive, reflecting a career defined by constant productivity. In the early decades of the twentieth century, dozens of his plays were successfully performed, establishing him as a prominent dramatist. At the same time, he was steadily developing his voice as a novelist and short story writer, eventually producing a wide range of published works. These included numerous novels, several collections of short stories, and a variety of non-fiction titles that explored themes such as travel experiences, personal reflections, critical essays, and selections drawn from his journals.

Maugham’s writing resonated strongly with readers across the English-speaking world, leading to exceptional commercial success. His books reached a vast audience, and sales figures reflected his widespread popularity. In the United States alone, publishers estimated that millions of copies of his works were purchased during his lifetime, underscoring both his global appeal and enduring readership.

Personal Life and Later Years

During the World War I, Maugham served in British intelligence, an experience that later inspired elements of his fiction. His personal life was complex, shaped by the social expectations of his era. Although his primary romantic relationships were with men, he attempted to align with societal norms by entering into a marriage with Syrie Wellcome in 1917. The relationship produced a daughter, Liza, but ultimately ended after twelve years.

Throughout much of his life, his closest companion was Gerald Haxton, with whom he traveled extensively across Asia and the Pacific. These journeys provided rich material for his stories. Later, after Haxton’s passing in 1944, Alan Searle became his secretary and constant companion.

Maugham spent his later years on the French Riviera, where he lived a life of comfort and social engagement. He eventually stopped writing novels after the Second World War, and his final years were overshadowed by declining mental health. He passed away on 16 December 1965 at the age of ninety-one, leaving behind a vast and influential literary legacy.