Maxims of Mark Twain All ideas are second hand, consciously and unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources. Circumstances make man, not man circumstances. Civilization is a limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessaries. Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society. Do your duty today and repent tomorrow. Do good when you can, and charge when you think they will stand it. Difference between savage and civilized man: one is painted, the other gilded. Do not put off till tomorrow what can be put off till day-after-tomorrow just as well. Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish. Etiquette requires us to admire the human race. Everybody's private motto: It's better to be popular than right. Every man is wholly honest to himself and to God, but not to any one else. Geological time is not money. Good wine needs no bush; a jug is the thing. God's noblest work? Man. Who found it out? Man. Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. Golden rule: Made of hard metal so it could stand severe wear, it not being known at that time that butter would answer. It is a wise child that knows its own father, and an unusual one that unreservedly approves of him. Necessity is the mother of "taking chances". Nothing is made in vain, but the fly came near it. Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it. Nothing incites to money-crimes like great poverty or great wealth. None but an ass pays a compliment and asks a favor at the same time. There are many asses. Optimist: Day-dreamer in his small clothes. Optimist: Day-dreamer more elegantly spelled. Optimist: Person who travels on nothing from nowhere to happiness. Obscurity and a competence. That is the life that is best worth living. Pessimist: The optimist who didn't arrive. Prosperity is the best protector of principle. There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist, except an old optimist. We all live in the protection of certain cowardices which we call our principles. Work and play are words used to describe the same thing under differing conditions. We often feel sad in the presence of music without words; and often more than that in the presence of music without music. We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess. Wherefore being all of one mind, we do highly resolve that government of the grafted by the grafter for the grafter shall not perish from the earth. |
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Monday, March 28, 2016
Mark Twain's Maxims
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