Mark Twain

We need not worry so much about what man descends from; it’s what he descends to that shames the human race.

To cease smoking is the easiest thing I ever did. I ought to know, I’ve done it a thousand times.

There isn’t a single human characteristic that can be safely labeled as American.

The Christian’s Bible is a drug store. Its contents remain the same, but the medical practice changes.

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

By what right has the dog come to be regarded as a noble animal? The more brutal and cruel and unjust you are to him the more your fawning and adoring slave he becomes; whereas, if you shamefully misuse a cat once she will always maintain a dignified reserve toward you afterward-you will never get her full confidence again.

The way to be immortal (I mean not to die at all) is to have me for your heir. I recommend you to put me in your will and you will see that (as long as I live at least) you will never even catch cold.

We cannot command Nature except by obeying her.

I think that people just have this core desire to express who they are. And I think that’s always existed.

Music causes us to think eloquently.

Croesus said to Cambyses; That peace was better than war; because in peace the sons did bury their fathers, but in wars the fathers did bury their sons.

We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting.

Raphael paints wisdom; Handel sings it, Phidias carves it, Shakespeare writes it, Wren builds it, Columbus sails it, Luther preaches it, Washington arms it, Watt mechanizes it.

Bondage is… subjection to external influences and internal negative thoughts and attitudes.

It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.

Who has not felt the beauty of a woman’s arm? The unspeakable suggestions of tenderness that lie in the dimpled elbow, and all the varied gently-lessening curves, down to the delicate wrist, with its tiniest, almost imperceptible nicks in the firm softness.

If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart.

Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.

If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities.

Excellence in any department can be attained only by the labor of a lifetime; it is not to be purchased at a lesser price.