Who said “Habits in writing as in life are only useful if they are broken as soon as they cease to…”?

Verified

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

SourceThe Summing Up (1938)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Cite this quote

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

APA

Maugham, W. S. (n.d.). Habits in writing as in life are only useful if they are broken as soon as they cease to be advantageous. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42957-habits-in-writing-as-in-life-are-only/

MLA

Maugham, W. Somerset. “Habits in writing as in life are only useful if they are broken as soon as they cease to be advantageous.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42957-habits-in-writing-as-in-life-are-only/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Maugham, W. Somerset. “Habits in writing as in life are only useful if they are broken as soon as they cease to be advantageous.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42957-habits-in-writing-as-in-life-are-only/.