If ever you've been down in the dumps, hear these iconic authors share with you more than their writing wisdom.

Two days overdue, THE WORLD'S WORK has not reached me. Pray make a note of this. I would rather not have to resort to violence.

In all the ages, three-fourths of the support of the great charities has been conscience money.

A soiled baby with a neglected nose cannot be conscientiously regarded as a thing of beauty.

I have attended operas, whenever I could not help it, for fourteen years now; I am sure I know of no agony comparable to the listening to an unfamiliar opera.

He had an uncommon fondness for cats. As an old man summering in New Hampshire, Twain even rented kittens from a nearby farm to keep him company until he returned home. "If man could be crossed with the cat," said Twain, "it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat." There's always something about your success that displeases even your best friends.

My land, the power of training! Of influence! Of education! It can bring a body up to believe anything.