Quotations Weblog

Quotes of the Week: Mark Twain

November 30th, 1997 by Laura Moncur in Biography

Few people living in The United States have not been exposed to Mark Twain. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30th, 1835, Mark Twain was one of the more influential writers of America. Known as a wit, his writing career began at age 12. He started writing for “The Hannibal Journal” at that time. He penned such books as “Tom Sawyer,” “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” and “The Prince and the Pauper.”

The following are just a small sampling of the great things that Mark Twain either said or wrote. I’ve also included some links to more quotes than you can shake a stick at. Enjoy!

Introduction and quote compilation by Laura S. Moncur, Staff Writer.

“The report of my death was an exaggeration.”
Note to London corresondent of the New York Journal, June 1, 1897

“Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.”

“Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economize it.”
Pudd’nhead Wilson, 1894

“Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid.”
Pudd’nhead Wilson, 1894

“Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”
Pudd’nhead Wilson, 1894

“I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him.”

“Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.”
Pudd’nhead Wilson, 1894

“The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”

“I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn’t know.”
Letter to William Dean Howells, December, 1877

“Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.”

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
Card sent to the Young People’s Society, Greenpoint Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, February 16, 1901

For more information about Mark Twain, try these links:

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