The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain (Paperback)

by Alex Ayres (Editor) "It all began with Adam..." (more)
Key Phrases: unconscious humor, model boy, Mark Twain, Following the Equator, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This sparkling anthology of Mark Twain's most trenchant remarks has been culled from his books, speeches, letters and conversations recorded by contemporaries. The sayings are as fresh today as when he first wrote them and represent Twain at his wittiest and best.

About the Author
Alex Ayres has been a Senior Editor on Running Times. In addition to this book, he has edited The Wit and Wisdom of Will Rogers, The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, The Wit and Wisdom of Martin Luther King, The Wit and Wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as The Wit and Wisdom of John F. Kennedy and The Wit and Wisdom of Harry Truman. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 265 pages
• Publisher: Meridian (March 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452010586
• ISBN-13: 978-0452010581
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,090,433 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheer Up with Biting Humor of Mark Twain, November 5, 2004

By	Laura De Giorgio "www.deeptrancenow.com" (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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."

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wit and Wisom of Mark Twain, September 8, 2001

By	T. W. Fuller (Wheeling, IL. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A hilarious book of qoutes, sayings, and one-liners only Mark Twain could have the genious to create.

A qoute from Adam, the first of many: Adam was but human - this explains it all. He did not want the apple for the apple's sake, he wanted it only because it was forbidden. The mistake was in not forbidding the serpent; then he would have eaten the serpent.

From Adam, the wit and humor only becomes more hysterical, more riveting, more evident; and we soon discover the true intelligence of Mark Twain. He was not an ordinary man; for no mere ordinary man could have thought, and often dared, to utter such words as Mark Twain, in the era in which he lived.

The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain contains some of his most outrageous qoutes, either written within his books, or his journals, and spanning more than four decades. A great read, which you don't have to start at the beginning, and work your way to the end. And a perfect way to escape the drollery of prime time television.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amusing and Timeless Reading, May 21, 2000

By	Jo. (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

Mark Twain captures human nature at it's best and worst in this book. The collection of quotes by Twain "alphabetically" comment honestly on topics ranging from adultery to government to money to youth. Such insight into humanity rarely comes along in a lifetime (or several lifetimes!) His words in truly reflect society during his lifespan and, as I have reread this book several times, the passages reflect society today. This book is an "easy read" as it contains memorable quotes as well as portions of a variety of speeches, papers and books/stories Mr. Twian wrote. You can read the entire book at one sitting or glance through it if you have a few minutes to spare and still feel the impact of his writings , thus finding yourself highly amused by his insight. You can pick up the book again at a later time and enjoy it as much as before. The "authors"/collectors/writers of this book are to be applauded.