Few North American writers have been more cited than Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), known under the pseudonym he adopted when he worked as a pilot of the ships that crossed the Mississippi. The first time he signed with that name was in 1863, when he wrote for the newspaper Enterprise territorial. In that article it evoked the song of the black workers who announced the draft of the ship (the same was of two fathoms, equivalent of 3.6 meters, and that they announced as Mark Twain).
The author of The adventures of Tom Sawyer and the adventures of Huckleberry Finn He had several trades before devoting himself to literature, from navigator to gold search engine. He fought in the Civil War for the Confederates, but, where appropriate, the contest only lasted one month. Throughout his life, he traveled extensively in the US and the world giving lectures, and met several celebrities, from presidents and politicians to journalists and writers, who enjoyed their picturesque style by telling their innumerable anecdotes.
He knew opulence, but was also about to beg. He had editorial successes, such as General Grant memoriesbut lost fortunes in “unfortunate” investments and for their inventions that did not prosper.
His experience in the west, overturned in The famous Rana Saltadado de Calaveras, He won immediate fame, which he reaffirmed with Tom Sawyer’s adventures and Huckleberry Finn. He also described his experiences as a tourist in his book A vagabon abroad, Where he affirmed:
“Traveling is fatal for prejudices, intolerant and narrow mind … many need it, because a broader and more charitable mind is not acquired in a corner of the world during a lifetime.”
He visited disparate places such as Jerusalem, where he made unbelievers about Adam’s alleged tomb, or in Paris, where he met the writer Paul Bourget. The latter thought that the Americans, when they had nothing else to do, wasting their time trying to discover their origins. Mark Twainchopped by the comment, replied that the French were always very busy “Trying to discover who his father was.”
Magnificent speaker, once he went to Congress to support the defense of copyright, but the deputies begged him to tell stories. He related anecdotes over three hours. In the end, the congressmen left very happy, but they did not have time to listen to the bill, and even less to vote …
Mark Twain’s best phrases
Mark Twain thought:
“If a man keeps silent, he can consider him an idiot; but he will open his mouth, he will confirm the suspicion.”
On another occasion, he said in public:
“Suppose you are an idiot. And suppose you are a congressmen …. but I don’t want to be repetitive.”
Some of his most famous phrases have become popular:
“Every time you realize that you are on the side of the majorities, it is time to take a pause and reflect.”
“To be successful in life you need two things: ignorance and trust”
“Don’t let the school interfere with your education.”
“There are lies, damn lies and statistics.”
“A classic is a book that everyone praises but have never read”
Mark Twain had a subject with religion, halfway between respect and skepticism. That is why he made jokes like:
“God created war so that Americans learn geography” (yes, he said that).
“To write you must know the facts … and then distort them to your liking.”
“Go to heaven for the weather and hell for the company”
“The lack of money is the root of all evils”
“They are not the parts of the Bible that I do not understand those that worry me, but the ones I understand”
“The truth is the most valuable thing we have; it is good to economize it.”
“Nothing needs to be more renovated than other people’s habits”
Mark Twain He survived his younger brother, who died in an accident while sailing, two of his children and his wife, Livy, dead in 1904.
When it was learned that he was seriously ill, he received thousands of letters, many of them with recommendations for “infallible” treatments. One of his fans replied: “I thank you for the advice. His is number 2653. I am waiting for the turn to prove it and see its beneficial effects.”
He died on April 21, 1910, a few days before Comet Halley became visible in the sky, as he had done 75 years before, when he was born.
“I was born modest … but it lasted little,” I used to joke. But Mark Twain I had reasons not to be.
Source: Ambito
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