The 56 most famous quotes by Mark Twain
In addition to being a writer, Mark Twain was an adventurer, which is reflected in his philosophy.
Among the Mark Twain's phrases that this prolific writer left us after his passing through life we find authentic gems of scathing criticism of an unequal society, full of inequalities.
However, there is also in them a sense of transcendence that goes far beyond cynicism or sarcasm. That is why so much can be learned from him.
Mark Twain's most outstanding quotes
Mark Twain is the pseudonym that Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835 - 1910) began to use in his articles. (1835 - 1910), American author, writer and adventurer who never tired of seeking his own path and experiences in his travels without a final destination. His father died when he was only twelve years old, which meant that he dropped out of school, but this did not prevent him from following a proper training that later allowed him to become one of the best writers of all times.
This famous author tried to make the most of his career by living all over the United States, working in things he would never have imagined (mining, carpentry), visiting spectacular towns and meeting all kinds of people, which allowed him to capture it in his own works. Besides being a novelist and essayist, Twain was a true adventurer.
In this article we will see the most relevant phrases of the American author and adventurer.
1. Man was made at the end of the week when God was tired.
A very peculiar way of talking about the imperfection of man.
2. There are people who can do everything well but one; stop telling their happiness to the unhappy ones.
We should encourage people in difficulty, not bring them down further.
3. Action speaks louder than 1000 words but not so often.
We are what we do, not what we say. One of Mark Twain's phrases in which his practical approach to reflects his practical approach to morality..
4. There is a charm about forgetfulness that makes it inexplicably desirable.
Mark Twain often referred to forgetfulness as a remedy for happiness.
5. When your friends start complimenting how young you look, it's surely a sign that you're getting old.
Sometimes we humans lie to make others feel better.
6. Facts are stubborn, but statistics are more flexible.
Great phrase to explain the difference between reality and trends.
7. What is the difference between a taxidermist and a fee collector? That the taxidermist only takes your skin.
Mark Twain was always very critical of the state tax system.
8. Always loyalty to the country. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it
Twain's curious reflection on politics.
9. Age would be infinitely happier if we could be born at the age of 80 and gradually reach 18.
Growing older is never pleasant. Rejuvenation is what we always seek throughout life.
10. The secret source of humor is not joy but sadness.
According to Twain, sadness is a dependent variable of happiness.. They are indivisible.
11. When fishing for love, use the Heart as bait, not the brain.
This phrase describes how Mark Twain saw love.
12. A man is never more truthful than when he recognizes himself a liar.
The first thing is to recognize our faults. Only then can we change them.
13. Let us live so that when we die, even the undertaker regrets it.
It seems that Twain saw little enthusiasm for people's enjoyment of life.
14. The world owes you nothing. It was here first
We often utter the phrase "the world owes me one". Everyone is the master of his or her own destiny and decisions.
15. To succeed in life you need two things: ignorance and confidence.
Mark Twain saw in the lack of self-confidence a way to succeed.
16. The secret of moving forward is to start
You should not be immobile and wait for things to happen.
17. Age is a matter of mind over matter. If you don't care, it doesn't matter
It has been said before: age is just a number.
18. My mother had a lot of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.
A good way to to explain the relationship between a mother and a child.
19. Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
In life one must be polite and pleasant, in all circumstances.
20. Get your deeds first, then you can distort them as you wish.
First do, then describe.
21. It is better to keep your mouth shut and make people think if you are a fool than to open it and resolve all doubt.
If we cannot say anything better than when we are silent, it is advisable to keep silent.
22. When you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to stop and reflect
It is very tempting to fall into the general trend and not think for ourselves, Twain thought.
23. Never put off until tomorrow what you can put off until the day after tomorrow.
Procrastination is always a negative element.
24. Against the assault of laughter nothing can be sustained.
For Mark Twain, humor was essential for a full life.
25. Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economicize it
Truth is a treasure that is little appreciated in society.
26. Truth is stranger than fiction
Returning to this concept, it is very difficult to manage. It is easier to lie.
27. You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is not focused.
We must first imagine that which we wish to achieve or realize.
28. Apparently there is nothing that can't happen today.
Never underestimate the day to day.
29. Courage is resistance to fear; the mastery of fear.
Twain was a born adventurer, and he saw courage as overcoming fear.
30. Good friends, good books and a numb conscience: that is real life.
A very concise and forceful way of describing life.
31. All generalizations are false, including this one.
Twain was very loathe to make such assertions.
32. Lack of money is the root of all evil.
Just as it is today, money conditions our societies.
33. Name the greatest inventor. Accident
Many of mankind's great advances have come about by chance. Champagne, for example.
34. Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.
Mark Twain was presumed dead on several occasions.
35. Don't let school interfere with your education.
For many thinkers and intellectuals, school is a form of indoctrination..
36. Anger is an acid that does more harm to the container it is stored in than to anything it is poured on.
This phrase explains very well what anger means to people.
37. The fear of death comes from the fear of life.
If we do not fear life, we do not fear death.
38. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
The truth, always so important, even though sometimes we prefer not to try to get close to it.
39. A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he cannot learn any other way.
One of Mark Twain's phrases based on humor.
40. Quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times
A very funny way of describing how difficult it is to quit smoking.
41. The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer someone else up.
We always have to keep the happiness of others in mind.. It is synonymous with one's own happiness.
It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
Twain's curious way of paraphrasing when dealing with conflict.
43. There are people who get things and people who say they have gotten things. The first group is less frequent
We often settle in the comfort zone and give up on our dreams.
44. Humor is mankind's greatest blessing.
Humor was always an exponent in Mark Twain's life.
45. The human race has a really effective weapon and it is laughter.
We refer again to humor as a way to achieve happiness.
46. If your job is to eat two frogs, it is better to eat the biggest one first.
Frogs represent something bad in life. So we must overcome the hardest thing first.
47. I don't want to commit myself to heaven and hell, I have friends in both places.
Excellent way for the author to avoid judging people.
48. For God is only possible: to find meaning in any copyright on the planet
People resort to theology when they do not know how to explain any situation in life.
49. When people do not respect us, we feel offended.
Respect must always be a sine qua non condition for relating to others.
50. A person who does not read has no advantage over a person who cannot read.
Reading is an indispensable tool for culture and knowledge. and knowledge.
51. Honesty is the best policy when there is money involved
It is very difficult not to fall into greed, according to Mark Twain.
52. The weather is what we hope for, the weather is what we get
We have to be realistic to avoid frustration.
53. I never let my school interfere with my education.
One should learn to be a free thinker. Twain was very clear about that.
54. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any moment.
He who enjoys life will not fear death.
55. Necessity is the alma mater of all risks.
The human being is capable of anything in the face of urgency or lack..
56. It is better to deserve honors and not to have them, than to have them and not to deserve them.
Trophies, medals and other public recognition were of little value to the author.
(Updated at Apr 13 / 2024)