Quotes that Illustrate Trump’s Ignorance

From the first time I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, I knew Mark Twain was my kind of guy. He had a sense of humor, refuted the value of politics, appreciated hard work, and knew how to deal with a bad hair day.

Mark Twain died April 21, 1910, but his wisdom remains relevant more than 100 years later. Each time I read his words in short stories, novels, and quotes, I gain insight about human nature. Though he is often thought of as a humorist, it doesn’t take much wisdom to recognize the truth in his words.

If Twain lived today, during coronavirus, I assert he would address the world’s concerns with humor because his words offer simple and true observations.

Quotes by Mark Twain that Place Current Events into Perspective

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”

“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”

“Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.”

“Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experiences.”

“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”

“Politics and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.”

“If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you’re mis-informed.”

“No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot.”

The idiot and the politician are like the emperor who will walk down the street naked if their egos are fed with praise and affirmations. They will deny they are drenched by the rain and feel the cold if supporters provide assurances they are wearing rich cloth that covers frailties, and protects from the elements.

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”

“Our lives, our liberty, and our property are never in greater danger than when Congress is in session.”

Moral Behavior

Twain not only spoke wisdom, but he lived ethically. In his lifetime, like any human, he experienced ups and down. He rose to fame and after some poor investments, fell to financial ruin. In fact, he declared bankruptcy once in his life. To his credit after publishing several novels he rebounded and repaid all his financial debts. When he could have used government loopholes to secure his future, he instead chose hard work and accepted his financial responsibility.

At the end of Twain’s life, he forecast his death, “I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s Comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: ‘Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together’. True to his prediction, he left on the tails of the famous heavenly body.

A century ago, Mark Twain shared humor, skepticism of politics, the value of hard work, and how to survive a bad hair day. All qualities readers can appreciate in today’s challenging environment.

When the barber shops and hair salons reopen, many of us may improve our hairstyles. However, Twain’s wisdom, foresight, and values will remain long into the future.

For more stories — humor, life lessons, everyday events — visit the blog, I AM My Best!