W. Somerset Maugham

Faithful Today, Free Tomorrow: Maugham’s Paradox

Finally, the paradox becomes livable through ritual. Time-box commitments (e.g., a season or milestone), define exit criteria in advance, and schedule regular truth-checks. When a chapter ends, perform a closure: express gratitude, document lessons, and bid a clear farewell. Such practices prevent drift, reduce sunk-cost pressure, and preserve dignity. In this way, loyalty turns from possession into presence—intense while it lasts, generous when it must end, and ready, tomorrow, to love again. [...]