"The world in general doesn't know what to make of originality; it is startled out of its comfortable habits of thought, and its first reaction is one of anger"
- W. Somerset Maugham
About this Quote
This quote by W. Somerset Maugham speaks to the difficulty of being an original thinker in a world that is accustomed to comfy habits of thought. It recommends that when individuals exist with something that is outside of their normal experience, they are often shocked and respond with anger. This is due to the fact that creativity challenges the status quo and can be seen as a danger to the established order. It is a tip that it can be challenging to be an innovator and that it is essential to be prepared for the possible reaction that can come with it. It is also a suggestion that it is important to be available to originalities and to be ready to challenge our own presumptions.
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