• 一位艺术家，无论是画家、诗人，还是音乐家，用其崇高或者美丽的作品装饰，满足了审美感；而这也类似于人的性本能，也有狂野的一面：他亦同样向人们展现了自己更伟大的天赋。

“The artist, painter, poet, or musician, by his decoration, sublime or beautiful, satisfies the aesthetic sense; but that is akin to the sexual instinct, and shares its barbarity: he lays before you also the greater gift of himself.”
Maugham, W. Somerset. The Moon and Sixpence. London: Heinemann, 1919. Ch. 19.

• 艺术中最有趣的事情，就是艺术家的个性；而如果其个性独特，那么就算他有缺点无数，我也愿意原谅。

“To my mind the most interesting thing in art is the personality of the artist; and if that is singular, I am willing to excuse a thousand faults.”
Maugham, W. Somerset. The Moon and Sixpence. London: Heinemann, 1919. Ch. 19.

• 相比之下，这位肉欲而具悲剧性的克里特岛画家，将自己灵魂的秘密如同永恒的祭品一般呈现出来。

“The Cretan, sensual and tragic, proffers the mystery of his soul like a standing sacrifice.”
Maugham, W. Somerset. The Moon and Sixpence. London: Heinemann, 1919. Ch. 19.