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43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great collection of clever quotes about all aspects of life., January 22, 2005
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, the author of such books as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" among others, was a highly intelligent and incredibly witty man. His keen observations of the world, and the often satirical commentary he made on it, are a delight to read, and this book pulls together some real gems from many of his books, speeches, and personal notebooks. There are some 358 quotations included, divided into categories as follows: (1) on men, women, children, and human nature, (2) on love, marriage, and romance, (3) on virtue, vice, and conduct, (4) on politics and history, (5) on religion, (6) on youth and aging, (7) on truth, honesty, lies, and illusion, (8) on reading, writing, and education, (9) on health and exercise, (10) on money and business, (11) on travel, and (12) on various other subjects. Each quote is attributed to its source for easy reference. This is a very slim and very affordable little volume, only fifty-five pages in length, and in fact my only criticism is that it doesn't include more material. But it is still well worth getting, and at this price it won't break any pocketbooks.
Here is a small selection of what you can expect:
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society" (pg. 3).
"Familiarity breeds contempt -- and children" (pg. 7).
"It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them" (pg. 15).
"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself" (pg. 23).
"Heaven for climate, Hell for company" (pg. 28).
"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years" (pg. 28).
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good little quote book, December 28, 2005
I have always been a fan of Mark Twain since I first read Huck Finn.
This is a great little book his quotations from his writings and speeches.
It's a nice little stocking stuffer as the book is small.
Some of my favorites:
"Classic." A book which people praise and don't read.
Honesty is the best policy--when there is money in it.
Some people like when they tell the truth. I tell the truth lying.
In God We Trust. I don't belive it would sound any better if it were true.
Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
Martyrdom covers a multitude of sins.
When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries of life disappear and life stands explained.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cheer Up with Biting Humor of Mark Twain, November 5, 2004
Enjoy few quotes from this humorous book, then go and buy a copy:
ADVERTISING
During his days as a journalist, the young Mark Twain once edited a small newspaper in Missouri. A subscriber wrote in, saying that he had found a spider in his paper and asked whether this was a sign of good or bad uck. Twain answered:
"Dear Subscriber: Finding a spider in your paper was neither good luck nor bad luck for you. The spider was merely looking over our paper to see which merchant is not advertising so that he can go to that store, spin his web across the door and lead a life of undisturbed peace ever afterward."
ADVICE
It is beter to give than receive - especially advice. Mark Twain was always willing to donate free advice to the needy and the unsuspecting. "It's notble to be good", he said, "and it's nobler to teach others to be good, and less trouble."
Whenever you find that you are on the side of majority, it is time to reform (- or pause and reflect).
BELIEFS
If the man doesn't believe as we do, we say he is a crank, and that settles it. I mean, it does nowadays, because now we can't burn him.
SURGERY
Mark Twain offered this advice on the proper state of mind for undergoing surgery: "Console yourself with the reflection that you are giving the doctor pleasure, and that he is getting paid for it."
INSULTS
When Mark Twain disapproved of someone, he was not likely o keep it a secret. A remark he made on hearing of the death of an annoying person is typical:
"He has done a thing for me which I wouldn't even have done for myself. If he will only stay dead now I will call the account square and drop the grudge I bear him."
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