Quotes
Quotes - Twain
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 on a hot stove lid again - and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore. -Mark Twain.
When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.
Consider well the proportion of things. It is better to be a young June bug, than an old bird of paradise. -Mark Twain.
The first half of life consists of the capacity to enjoy without the chance; the last half consists of the chance without the capacity. -Mark Twain.
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear.
Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.
Why is it that people rejoice at a birth and grieve at a funeral? It is because we are not the people involved.
Why is it that we rejoice at a birth and grieve at a funeral? It is because we are not the person involved.
My books are water; those of the great geniuses are wineâ everybody drinks water.
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.
My books are water; those of the great geniuses are wine--everybody drinks water.
A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.
There comes a time in every rightly constructed boy's life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure.
A man who carries a cat by the tail is getting experience that will always be helpful. He isn't likely to grow dim or doubtful. Chances are, he isn't likely to carry the cat that way again, either. But if he wants to, I say let him!
Of all God's creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with a cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.
We are chameleons, and our partialities and prejudices change place with an easy and blessed facility, and we are soon wonted to the change and happy in it.
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.
Civilization is a limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities.
If you can't get a compliment any other way, pay yourself one.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
There is something fascinating about science. One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture out of such a trifling investment of fact.
All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.
