Mark Twain was and remains one of the great American authors of all time. Most of us were transported into wonderful places when we read Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn. He had a marvelous imagination and great powers of description. I have always enjoyed his quips and quotes which so aptly describe the human condition. For when we can see ourselves as we are and laugh at ourselves we are then ready to become more what God wants us to be. Here are a few of Twain’s insightful lessons.
The proper office of a friend is to side with you when you are in the wrong. Nearly anybody will side with you when you are in the right.
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.
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.
Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest.
When in doubt, tell the truth.
Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it. Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
All you need is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
