47 Mark Twain Quotes and Life Lessons so You Don't Screw Your Life Up

In the realm of literature, few voices have left an indelible mark like that of Mark Twain. His words, often witty and profound, have transcended time and continue to resonate with us today. Twain's insights encompass a wide range of topics, from human nature to life's complexities. Let's embark on a journey through some of his most memorable quotes, each offering a glimpse into his unparalleled wisdom.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, a renowned American author, humorist, and social critic, Mark Twain's legacy continues to inspire and guide us in navigating the complexities of life. Mark Twain, born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri, his journey through life was as colorful as the characters he created. From his early days as a printer's apprentice to his adventurous years as a riverboat pilot, Twain's experiences along the Mississippi River deeply influenced his literary works.

47 Mark Twain Quotes and Life Lessons so You Don't Screw Your Life Up

 

"The truth must be served like a coat, and not thrown in the face like a wet towel." – Mark Twain

"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." – Mark Twain

"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." – Mark Twain

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." – Mark Twain

"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." – Mark Twain

"Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody." – Mark Twain

"Only two things we'll regret on deathbed – that we are a little loved and little traveled." – 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." – Mark Twain

"Man will do many things to get himself loved, he will do all things to get himself envied." – Mark Twain

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been." – Mark Twain

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man." – Mark Twain

"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." – Mark Twain

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear." – Mark Twain

"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.  " – Mark Twain

"The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read." – Mark Twain

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." – Mark Twain

"A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain." – Mark Twain

"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." – Mark Twain

"To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with." – Mark Twain

"Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured." – Mark Twain

"The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter." – 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." – Mark Twain

Related: John F. Kennedy Quotes

"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day." – Mark Twain

"Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." – Mark Twain

"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this but we all have to do it." – Mark Twain

"Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid." – Mark Twain

"Do something everyday that you don't want to do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain." – Mark Twain

"Honesty: The best of all the lost arts." – Mark Twain

"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint." – Mark Twain

"Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it." – Mark Twain

"Buy land, they're not making it anymore." – Mark Twain

"A person with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds." – Mark Twain

"The lack of money is the root of all evil." – Mark Twain

"Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times." – Mark Twain

"When your friends begin to flatter you on how young you look, it's a sure sign you're getting old." – Mark Twain

"Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life." – Mark Twain

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." – Mark Twain

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." – Mark Twain

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." – Mark Twain

"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first." – Mark Twain

"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - 'tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning." – Mark Twain

Related: Albert Einstein Quotes

"The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he knows too little." – Mark Twain

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." – Mark Twain

"The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up." – Mark Twain

"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work." – Mark Twain

"If you want me to give you a two-hour presentation, I am ready today. If you want only a five-minute speech, it will take me two weeks to prepare." – Mark Twain

As we journey through these thought-provoking quotes from Mark Twain, we're reminded of his remarkable ability to capture the essence of human experiences. From kindness and truth to ambition and aging, Twain's insights continue to guide and inspire. These quotes, peppered with humor and wisdom, offer us a timeless guide for navigating life's complexities with grace and understanding.

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