Mark Twain

Every line we carry

Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.

1. Courage is mastery of fear, not absence of fear.

   Twain says calling a creature brave only makes sense if it is part coward. Courage means feeling the fear and acting anyway. You do not need to stop being afraid first.

   Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 12, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar, Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894)

2. Live so that when you die even the undertaker will be sorry.

   The joke has a serious core: live so well that even the man who profits from your death will miss you. Kindness and good humor leave a mark. Aim for that.

   Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 6, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar, Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894)

3. Habit isn't thrown out the window. Coax it downstairs a step at a time.

   Big dramatic resolutions rarely break a habit. Twain says it comes down one step at a time. Change slowly and steadily.

   Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 6, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar, Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894)

4. Put all your eggs in one basket. Then watch that basket.

   Twain flips the usual advice: spreading yourself thin also spreads your attention thin. Commit to one thing and guard it closely. Focus beats scatter.

   Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 15, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar, Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894)

5. When in doubt, tell the truth.

   Short and practical: when you are unsure what to say, honesty is the safe default. It also saves you from having to remember stories. Tell it straight.

   Following the Equator (1897), ch. 2, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)

6. Do something every day you don't want to do.

   Twain calls this the golden rule for learning to do your duty without pain. Small daily discomfort builds the muscle for the big ones. Pick your hard thing today.

   Following the Equator (1897), ch. 58, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)

7. Noise proves nothing. A hen cackles over an egg like it laid an asteroid.

   Loud claims are not evidence. The quiet result usually outweighs the noisy one. Judge by the egg, not the cackle.

   Following the Equator (1897), ch. 5, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)

8. The man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds.

   Every new idea looks foolish until it works. Twain warns you to expect ridicule if you try something original. Keep going until it succeeds.

   Following the Equator (1897), ch. 32, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)

9. Wrinkles should merely show where smiles have been.

   Age leaves lines; let them come from laughter. Twain suggests a cheerful life writes itself on the face. Smile more.

   Following the Equator (1897), ch. 52, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)

10. Grief takes care of itself. Joy needs someone to share it.

    Sorrow will find its way whether or not you share it. Joy only reaches full value when someone else shares it. Call someone when good news comes.

    Following the Equator (1897), ch. 48, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)