Many quotes can be attributed to Mark Twain who is Samuel Clemens in real life. He is known for satirical writings and has been called “the father of American literature.” As the writer of the famous novels entitled, “Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” numerous pieces of his work have influenced the psyche of the Americans during his time. His words come out naturally such that common people during his era were able to identify with his writings. Even to this day, most if not all of the quotes attributed to him apply greatly to the modern daily life. Though the message imparted by his words is quite sharp, it is easily received because of the wit and humor that he adds to them. He never veered away from topics such as hypocrisies and social criticisms.
Mark Twain had a wide array of experiences and interests that could have contributed to the wisdom behind his quotes. He travelled a lot, recognized the importance of science and technology, and had his own taste of financial problems. Though he earned a fortune from his writings, he made bad investments which caused him bankruptcy. His life journey included paying back all he owed and becoming financially stable again.
Other than his writings, he was also sought after as a speaker doing humorous talks for distinguished clubs and groups across his country.
Famous Mark Twain Quotes
Most of these quotes would be familiar to the man on the street. These have been used in movie scripts and speeches such that others would not even realize that it was written by Mark Twain. They have been part of intellectual conversations and political debates, often offering the quote to emphasize an agenda.
“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”
“The lack of money is the root of all evil.”
“Clothes do not merely make the man… clothes are the man.”
“To eat is human.. to digest, divine.”
“Age is an issue of mind over matter.
If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
“When in doubt, tell the truth.”
“To believe yourself to be brave is to be brave; it is the only essential thing.”
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.”
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain Quotes on Life
Though this prolific writer lived at the turn of the 20th century, his insights on life continue to be profound and present some undeniable truth. In fact, they can be seen in publications used for teens as they are good values ideally planted in young minds. They can serve to inspire anyone in despair or allow a painful experience to be accepted more easily by anyone.
“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”
“All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.”
“May you always keep your youth.”
“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.”
“I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.”
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
“Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.”
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”
“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living.
The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”
Funny Mark Twain Quotes
From the deep soul of this man come the most humorous quotes. This list marks the incredible gift of gab that Mark Twain has. Rarely can a man can make stark reality so much easier to understand. Even uncomfortable topics such as modesty and criticism have a gentler effect on the ear and the heart of the reader or listener.
“Always obey your parents when they are present.”
“There is nothing in the world like persuasive speech to fuddle the mental apparatus.”
“Reader, suppose you were an idiot.
And suppose you were a member of Congress.
But I repeat myself.”
“You can tell German wine from vinegar by the label.”
“Golf is a good walk spoiled.”
“I was born modest, but it didn’t last.”
“Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.”
“Go to heaven for the climate and hell for the company.”
‘Get the facts first. You can distort them later.”
“Adam and Eve had many advantages,
But the principal one was that they escaped teething.”
Mark Twain Quotes on Education
The following quotes show that education is indeed important. However, he focuses on real learning unlike the rote learning of school systems. Anyone who takes his education for granted can get a piece of advice from his quotes while those responsible for the common man’s education are also held responsible.
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty.
Anyone who keeps learning stays young.
The greatest thing you can do is keep your mind young.”
“A full belly its little worth where the mind is starved.”
“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”
“Education: the path to cocky ignorance to miserable uncertainty.”
“Do something every day that you don’t want to do;
This is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.”
“Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail.
What you gain at one end you lose at the other.
It’s like feeding a dog on his own tail.
It won’t fatten the dog.”
“Education consists mainly in what we have unlearned.”
“Many public-school children seem to know only two dates—1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don’t know what happened on either occasion.”
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble.
It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”
Mark Twain Quotes on Love
The following quotes about love are romantic and show an angle of this man, different from his satirical writings. These nuggets of wisdom would prove valuable not just for newly dating couples but even for relationships that have matured through the years.
“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.”
“Life is short, Break the Rules.
Forgive quickly, Kiss SLOWLY.
Love Truly. Laugh uncontrollably
And never regret ANYTHING
That makes you smile.”
“Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.”
“When you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain.”
“Man will do many things to get himself loved;
He will do all things to get himself envied.”
“Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths.
No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until
They have been married a quarter of a century.”
“Sing like no one’s listening,
Love like you’ve never been hurt,
Dance like nobody’s watching,
And live like its heaven on earth.”
