Portrait of Mark Twain

Mark Twain

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, humorist

Modern influential 212 sayings

Sayings by Mark Twain

There are many humorous things in the world; among them, the white man's notion that he is less savage than the other savages.

c. 1898 — From 'Mark Twain's Notebook'.
Wisdom Unverifiable

The commonest superstition is that some people are more superstitious than others.

1897 — From 'Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar' in 'Following the Equator'.
Wisdom Unverifiable

We are all a little mad. Those of us who are able to laugh at our own madness are sane enough.

Late 19th - early 20th century (approximate) — Widely attributed. Similar sentiment appears in 'Mark Twain's Notebook'.
Wisdom Unverifiable

I believe that the only way to get a man to do a thing is to make him believe that he is doing it of his own free will.

c. 1898 — From 'Mark Twain's Notebook'.
Inspirational Unverifiable

Nothing is so annoying as to have two people talking at once, unless it is when no one will talk to you.

1897 — From 'Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar' in 'Following the Equator'.
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.

1889 — From 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'.
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

The church is always trying to get money, and always trying to be popular, and always doing both things very badly.

c. 1898 — From 'Mark Twain's Notebook'.
Biblical Unverifiable

I was born with a reading habit, and it's a good thing, because it's the only habit I've ever had that hasn't cost me money.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections of quotes
Money & Business Unverifiable

I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections of quotes
Wisdom Confirmed

If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

1894 — Mark Twain's Notebook
Wisdom Confirmed

The only difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector is that the taxidermist leaves the hide.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections of quotes
Money & Business Confirmed

I like a good story, but I don't believe it.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections of quotes
Inspirational Unverifiable

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

1901 — Speech, Young Men's Christian Association, Boston
Wisdom Confirmed

The report of my death was an exaggeration.

1897 — Cable from London to the Associated Press
Life & Death Unverifiable

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections of quotes
Wisdom Confirmed

The finest clothing made is a man's own skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this.

1897 — Following the Equator
Wisdom Confirmed

I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections of quotes (sometimes attributed to Einstein, but Twain also u…
Inspirational Unverifiable

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

1927 (posthumous collection) — More Maxims of Mark
Wisdom Confirmed

I am not an American. I am a Missourian.

1890 — Letter to William Dean Howells
Wisdom Unverifiable

Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.

1904 — Speech, Hartford, Connecticut
Biblical Unverifiable
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