Mark Twain
Birthday:
30 November 1835, Florida, Missouri, USA
Birth Name:
Samuel Langhorne Clemens
Height:
174 cm
Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida, Missouri in 1835, grew up in Hannibal. He was a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. Throughout his career, Twain served as a writer, lecturer, reporter, editor, printer, and prospector. Twain took his pen name from an alert cry used on his steamboat - "by the mark, twain".
I have been told that Wagner's [Richard Wagner] music is better than it sounds.
I have been told that Wagner's [Richard Wagner] music is better than it sounds.
[his definition of a "classic"] Something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.
[his definition of a "classic"] Something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.
Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.
Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.
The English are mentioned in the Bible: Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
The English are mentioned in the Bible: Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
As to the adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.
As to the adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.
The report of my death was an exaggeration.
The report of my death was an exaggeration.
I can live for two months on a good compliment.
I can live for two months on a good compliment.
Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.
Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.
All you need is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
All you need is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
The holy passion of friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not ...Show more »
The holy passion of friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money. Show less «
Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths.
Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths.
No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.
No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.
Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.
Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.
When in doubt, tell the truth.
When in doubt, tell the truth.
Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest.
Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest.
Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it.
Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it.
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.
Where prejudice exists it always discolors our thoughts.
Where prejudice exists it always discolors our thoughts.
I have been an author for 20 years and an ass for 55.
I have been an author for 20 years and an ass for 55.
An author values a compliment even when it comes from a source of doubtful competency.
An author values a compliment even when it comes from a source of doubtful competency.
Comedy keeps the heart sweet.
Comedy keeps the heart sweet.
Fleas can be taught nearly anything that a Congressman can.
Fleas can be taught nearly anything that a Congressman can.
Whatever you say, say it with conviction.
Whatever you say, say it with conviction.
I learned long ago never to say the obvious thing, but leave the obvious thing to commonplace and inexperienced people to say.
I learned long ago never to say the obvious thing, but leave the obvious thing to commonplace and inexperienced people to say.
I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
Education consists mainly in what we have unlearned.
Education consists mainly in what we have unlearned.
It is by the goodness of God that in our country, we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience,...Show more »
It is by the goodness of God that in our country, we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them. Show less «
Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
There are two times in a man's life when he should not speculate: when he can't afford it, and when he can.
There are two times in a man's life when he should not speculate: when he can't afford it, and when he can.
The proper office of a friend is to side with you when you are in the wrong. Nearly anybody will side with you when you are in the right.
The proper office of a friend is to side with you when you are in the wrong. Nearly anybody will side with you when you are in the right.
The man who is ostentatious of his modesty is twin to the statue that wears a fig-leaf.
The man who is ostentatious of his modesty is twin to the statue that wears a fig-leaf.
Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sai...Show more »
Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. Show less «
If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got.
If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got.
I am not "an" American, I am "the" American.
I am not "an" American, I am "the" American.
I love to revel in philosophical matters--especially astronomy. I study astronomy more than any other foolishness there is.
I love to revel in philosophical matters--especially astronomy. I study astronomy more than any other foolishness there is.
When the world ends, I would like to be in Cincinnati, because it's always 20 years behind the times.
When the world ends, I would like to be in Cincinnati, because it's always 20 years behind the times.
America is built on a tilt, so anything loose slides to California.
America is built on a tilt, so anything loose slides to California.
History doesn't always repeat itself. Sometimes it rhymes.
History doesn't always repeat itself. Sometimes it rhymes.
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect.
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect.
Golf is a good walk spoiled.
Golf is a good walk spoiled.
You can tell German wine from vinegar by the label.
You can tell German wine from vinegar by the label.
October is one of those dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, Se...Show more »
October is one of those dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, November and December. Show less «
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of other persons.
Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of other persons.
France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. France has usually been governed by prostitutes. Apart from these drawbacks, it is a fine c...Show more »
France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. France has usually been governed by prostitutes. Apart from these drawbacks, it is a fine country. Show less «
If we were meant to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.
If we were meant to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.
Grief can take care of itself; but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.
Grief can take care of itself; but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.
[on babies] A soiled baby with a neglected nose cannot consciously be regarded as a thing of beauty.
[on babies] A soiled baby with a neglected nose cannot consciously be regarded as a thing of beauty.
[on babies] Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething.
[on babies] Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething.
[on adaptability] If you don't like the weather in New Engalnd, just wait a few minutes.
[on adaptability] If you don't like the weather in New Engalnd, just wait a few minutes.
[on children] When a teacher calls a boy by his entire name, it means trouble.
[on children] When a teacher calls a boy by his entire name, it means trouble.
[on experience] We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it--and stop there; lest we be like the cat that...Show more »
[on experience] We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it--and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot-stove lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again--and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore. Show less «
[on fact] Get your facts first; then you can distort 'em as you please.
[on fact] Get your facts first; then you can distort 'em as you please.
To be busy is man's only happiness.
To be busy is man's only happiness.
It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.
It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.
Training is everything. The peach was a once a bitter almond; cauliflower is but a cabbage with a college education.
Training is everything. The peach was a once a bitter almond; cauliflower is but a cabbage with a college education.
Let us be grateful to Adam, our benefactor. He cut us out of the "blessing" of idleness and won for us the "curse" of labor.
Let us be grateful to Adam, our benefactor. He cut us out of the "blessing" of idleness and won for us the "curse" of labor.
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been.
Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been.
It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
Most people are bothered by those passages in Scripture which they cannot understand, but as for me I always noticed that the passages in Sc...Show more »
Most people are bothered by those passages in Scripture which they cannot understand, but as for me I always noticed that the passages in Scripture which trouble me are those which I do understand. Show less «
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to twenty-one, I was...Show more »
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to twenty-one, I was astonished by how much he'd learned in seven years. Show less «
Religion began when the first con-artist met the first fool.
Religion began when the first con-artist met the first fool.
If you would be good, you will be lonely.
If you would be good, you will be lonely.
Even a bargain costs money.
Even a bargain costs money.
All that is necessary is ignorance and confidence, then success is guaranteed.
All that is necessary is ignorance and confidence, then success is guaranteed.
Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.
Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.
When I get to the other side I shall use my influence to have the Human Race drowned again, but this time drowned good. No exceptions, no Ar...Show more »
When I get to the other side I shall use my influence to have the Human Race drowned again, but this time drowned good. No exceptions, no Ark. Show less «
Beware of reading Health Books, you may die of a misprint.
Beware of reading Health Books, you may die of a misprint.
When one finds oneself on the side of the Majority it is time to pause and reflect.
When one finds oneself on the side of the Majority it is time to pause and reflect.
Give a man a reputation as an early riser, and that man can sleep till noon.
Give a man a reputation as an early riser, and that man can sleep till noon.
The common eye sees only the outside of things, and judges by that, but the seeing eye pierces through and reads the heart and the soul, fin...Show more »
The common eye sees only the outside of things, and judges by that, but the seeing eye pierces through and reads the heart and the soul, finding there capacities which the outside didn't indicate or promise, and which the other kind couldn't detect. Show less «
Its name is Public Opinion. It is held in reverence. It settles everything. Some think it is the voice of God
Its name is Public Opinion. It is held in reverence. It settles everything. Some think it is the voice of God
Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live
Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live
What a man wants with religion in these breadless times, surpasses my comprehension
What a man wants with religion in these breadless times, surpasses my comprehension
I always did hate for anyone to know what my plans or hopes or prospects were-for, if I kept people in ignorance in these matters, no one co...Show more »
I always did hate for anyone to know what my plans or hopes or prospects were-for, if I kept people in ignorance in these matters, no one could be disappointed but myself, if they were not realized."- Show less «
We chase phantoms half the days of our lives. It is well if we learn wisdom even then, and save the other half
We chase phantoms half the days of our lives. It is well if we learn wisdom even then, and save the other half
Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising
Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising
The World owes you nothing, it was here first.
The World owes you nothing, it was here first.
Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.
Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.
You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
Not reading gives you no advantage over people who don't read.
Not reading gives you no advantage over people who don't read.
It is easier to fool people than it is to convince them that they have been fooled.
It is easier to fool people than it is to convince them that they have been fooled.
When I was young, I could remember anything whether it happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now, and soon I shall be so I cannot r...Show more »
When I was young, I could remember anything whether it happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now, and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the latter. It is sad to go to pieces like this, but we all have to do it. Show less «
There's nothing worse than a young pessimist. Except an Old Optimist.
There's nothing worse than a young pessimist. Except an Old Optimist.
One can not succeed merely by being stupid, one must be well-mannered as well.
One can not succeed merely by being stupid, one must be well-mannered as well.
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