This being a blog about far-flung places (mostly), I thought
about writing some preachy piece about the ridiculous habit of stereotyping a people
without knowing them. I figured Mark
Twain’s quote above from Innocents Abroad
would make a good title. But then, fortunately
for readers of MIE, I looked at my list of favorite Twain quotes for the
attribution. Light dawned. One cannot read Twain and think boring
thoughts. He inspired a better plan.
So, in addition to the title, here is about half of my collection of
Twain nuggets—gold, every one. You will
learn more from a taste Twain’s witticisms than from a ton of my serious admonishments.
The lack of money is the root of all evil.
More
maxims of Mark Johnson 1927
A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
What is
Man? And Other Essays, Chapter II
Be good and you will be lonesome.
Flyleaf of
Following the Equator Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar
Honor is a harder master than the law.
Speeches/Paine,
p197
Always do the right thing.
This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
Note to the
Young People’s Society, Greenpoint Presbyterian Church, 1901
When in doubt, tell the truth
Following
the Equator Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar
Do your duty today and repent tomorrow.
More maxims
of Mark Johnson 1927
There is nothing in the world like persuasive speech to
muddle the mental apparatus.
The Man that Corrupted Hadleyberg
If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.
Notebook, 1894
Books are the liberated spirits of men.
Letters 2/22/1894
I was born modest, but it didn’t last.
Speech 3/4/1906
If books are not good company, where will I find it?
Letter to M.
Fairbanks from St.C
Clothes do not merely make the man. . . clothes are the man.
The Czar’s
Soliloquy
To eat is human. . . .to digest divine.
Annamaria - Monday
Smiling widely and often, thanks, Annamaria! Twain is definitely a classic, in several meanings of the word. I especially liked the final, "They didn't know whose quote it was, so they said it was mine." VERY appropriate for our modern internet age. I couldn't estimate the number of quotes I've seen attributed to Albert Einstein (over one of his stereotypical wild-haired pictures), some of which are accurate, some of which sound plausible, and many of which are laughably wrong. Oil well, as they say in that state that shall not be named because of its surplus of dirty diapers... er... politicians.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed them, Everett. The dirty diaper one is my favorite. So apt for these days.
ReplyDeleteI think I detect a trend here, Annamaria, for I, too, favor the diaper...possibly because I spent yesterday with my six-month old granddaughter and concept is still fresh in my mind....;)
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