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

What it means

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

The source

"The man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds." Mark Twain said it in Following the Equator (1897), ch. 32, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar. Written in English: Following the Equator, 1897.

"The man with a new idea is a Crank until the idea succeeds."

Original English (Following the Equator, 1897), Following the Equator (1897), ch. 32, 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 "The man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds." mean?

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

Who said "The man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds."?

Mark Twain (1835–1910). Source: Following the Equator (1897), ch. 32, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.

What is the original wording?

The man with a new idea is a Crank until the idea succeeds (Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)). Written in English: Following the Equator, 1897.

Is "The man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"The man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds." (Mark Twain, Following the Equator (1897), ch. 32, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, trans. Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/the-man-with-a-new-idea-is-a