Monsieur Foinet got up and made as if to go, but he changed his mind, and, stopping, put his hand on Philip's shoulder." But if you were going to ask me my advice, I should say: take your courage in both hands and try your luck at something else. It sounds very hard, but let me tell you this: I would give all I have in the world if someone had given me that advice when I was your age and I had taken it." Philip looked up at him with surprise. The master forced his lips into a smile, but his eyes remained grave and sad." It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it's too late. It does not improve the temper." He gave a little laugh as he said the last words and quickly walked out of the room. . W. Somerset Maugham
About This Quote

In this quote, the unnamed narrator is still in the midst of a period of depression. He is talking to a young Philip, who is going through a difficult time in his life. The narrator advises Philip to take a different path, one that is less hard. In a way, he is saying that people who try to do everything and fail at everything are miserable and have no purpose in life.

The narrator suggests that Philip should do something else if he wants to have any hope of being happy. This advice seems harsh because it seems to say that you shouldn’t even try to be an artist if it doesn’t work out for you.

Source: Of Human Bondage

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