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

What it means

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

The source

"Noise proves nothing. A hen cackles over an egg like it laid an asteroid." Mark Twain said it in Following the Equator (1897), ch. 5, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar. Written in English: Following the Equator, 1897.

"Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid."

Original English (Following the Equator, 1897), Following the Equator (1897), ch. 5, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Mark Twain (1835–1910). American humorist and novelist. His sharpest one-liners appear as Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar in Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894) and Following the Equator (1897).

Questions

What does "Noise proves nothing. A hen cackles over an egg like it laid an asteroid." mean?

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

Who said "Noise proves nothing. A hen cackles over an egg like it laid an asteroid."?

Mark Twain (1835–1910). Source: Following the Equator (1897), ch. 5, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.

What is the original wording?

Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid (Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)). Written in English: Following the Equator, 1897.

Is "Noise proves nothing. A hen cackles over an egg like it laid an asteroid." on a shirt?

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"Noise proves nothing. A hen cackles over an egg like it laid an asteroid." (Mark Twain, Following the Equator (1897), ch. 5, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, trans. Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/noise-proves-nothing-a-hen-cackles-over-an