When I was fourteen years old, I was amazed at how unintelligent my father was. By the time I turned twenty-one, I was astounded how much he had learned in the last seven years.
Mark TwainThere is no salvation for us but to adopt Civilization and lift ourselves down to its level.
Mark TwainWe all do no end of feeling, and we mistake it for thinking. And out of it we get an aggregation which we consider a boon. Its name is public opinion. It is held in reverence. Some think it the voice of God.
Mark TwainWhen a person cannot deceive himself the chances are against his being able to deceive other people.
Mark TwainPrinciples aren't of much account anyway, except at election time. After that you hang them up to let them season.
Mark TwainIf husbands could realize what large returns of profit may be gotten out of a wife by a small word of praise paid over the counter when the market is just right, they would bring matters around the way they wish them much oftener than they usually do. Arguments are unsafe with wives, because they examine them; but they do not examine compliments. One can pass upon a wife a compliment that is three-fourths base
Mark Twain