Meaning: The quote you've provided is from W. Somerset Maugham, a British playwright, novelist, and short-story writer. In this quote, Maugham reflects on the profound impact that his stammer had on his life and career. He suggests that his speech impediment diverted him from the conventional path of academic success and led him to pursue a different, and ultimately more fulfilling, vocation as a writer.

Maugham's stammer significantly influenced his personal and professional trajectory. It is evident from his words that he believed his speech impediment shaped his life in ways that were both unexpected and transformative. Instead of following the path of his brothers and pursuing a traditional academic career at Cambridge, Maugham attributes his deviation from this trajectory to his stammer. He imagines that, without this impediment, he might have pursued a more conventional path, becoming a university lecturer and publishing scholarly works on French literature.

The quote sheds light on the pivotal role that adversity can play in shaping an individual's life and career. Maugham's stammer, which could have been perceived as a hindrance, ultimately led him to a different and arguably more impactful career path. His struggles with speech likely fostered introspection and a deep connection to language, both of which are evident in his literary works. It is evident from his prolific output and enduring legacy that he found his true calling in writing, and his stammer played a crucial role in steering him toward this vocation.

Maugham's reflections on his stammer also highlight the complex interplay between perceived limitations and unexpected opportunities. While his speech impediment may have presented challenges in certain aspects of his life, it also propelled him toward a career that allowed him to express himself through the written word. In this sense, the quote speaks to the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit, as well as the potential for adversity to serve as a catalyst for personal and creative growth.

Maugham's words also prompt reflection on the nature of success and fulfillment. While the conventional path of academic achievement may have seemed like the obvious choice for someone of Maugham's background and upbringing, his divergence from this path led to a career that brought him immense satisfaction and recognition. His assertion that he might have otherwise published "dreary" books about French literature suggests a certain dissatisfaction with the potential trajectory his life might have taken without the influence of his stammer.

In conclusion, W. Somerset Maugham's quote offers valuable insights into the ways in which adversity can shape a person's life and career. His reflections on the impact of his stammer underscore the transformative power of challenges and the potential for unexpected opportunities to arise from perceived limitations. Through his own experiences, Maugham exemplifies the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for adversity to serve as a catalyst for personal and creative fulfillment.