William Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) is one of the most insightful writers in English literature of the 20th century. He is called the “English Maupassant”. The leading theme of Maugham’s works is the clash of an extraordinary creative personality with society. The short story “The End of the World” was first published under the title “The Right Deed is the Good Deed” - in the International Magazine, July 1931; included in the collection "A King" (1933).

Somerset Maugham. Collected works in nine volumes. Volume 9. Publishing house "Terra-Book Club". Moscow. 2001.

Translation from English by Raisa Oblonskaya.