Who said “The great critic must be a philosopher, for from philosophy he will learn serenity,…”?

Verified

W. Somerset Maugham. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Summing Up (1938)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Summing Up (1938).

APA

Maugham, W. S. (n.d.). The great critic must be a philosopher, for from philosophy he will learn serenity, impartiality, and the transitoriness of human things. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22792-the-great-critic-must-be-a-philosopher-for/

MLA

Maugham, W. Somerset. “The great critic must be a philosopher, for from philosophy he will learn serenity, impartiality, and the transitoriness of human things.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22792-the-great-critic-must-be-a-philosopher-for/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Maugham, W. Somerset. “The great critic must be a philosopher, for from philosophy he will learn serenity, impartiality, and the transitoriness of human things.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22792-the-great-critic-must-be-a-philosopher-for/.