Quote

The test of any good fiction is that you should care something for the characters the good to succeed, the bad to fail. The trouble with most fiction is that you want them all to land in hell, together, as quickly as possible.

Mark Twain

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Mark Twain
Age: 74 †
Born: 1835
Born: November 30
Died: 1910
Died: April 21
Aphorist
Author
Autobiographer
Humorist
Journalist
Novelist
Opinion Journalist
Prosaist
Science Fiction Writer
Teacher
Florida
Missouri
Samuel Langhorne Clemens
Samuel L. Clemens
Samuel Clemens
Possible
Fail
Character
Characters
Care
Succeed
Together
Failing
Writing
Fiction
Something
Hell
Test
Good
Trouble
Quickly
Land
Tests

More quotes by Mark Twain

Image
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain
Image
I have spent most of my life worrying about things that have never happened.
Mark Twain
Image
Sane and intelligent human beings are like all other human beings, and carefully and cautiously and diligently conceal their private real opinions from the world and give out fictitious ones in their stead for general consumption.
Mark Twain
Image
There are times when one would like to hang the whole human race, and finish the farce.
Mark Twain
Image
Damn the subjunctive. It brings all our writers to shame.
Mark Twain
Image
A man who carries a cat by the tail is getting experience that will always be helpful. He isn't likely to grow dim or doubtful. Chances are, he isn't likely to carry the cat that way again, either. But if he wants to, I say let him!
Mark Twain
Image
One must keep one's character. Earn a character first if you can, and if you can't, then assume one.
Mark Twain
Image
Success is a journey, not a destination. It requires constant effort, vigilance and reevaluation.
Mark Twain
Image
At 50, a man can be an ass without being an optimist but not an optimist without being an ass
Mark Twain
Image
When in doubt tell the truth.
Mark Twain
Image
Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.
Mark Twain
Image
A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo and doesn't.
Mark Twain
Image
Good exercise for the heart: reach out and help your neighbor
Mark Twain
Image
Conscience, man's moral medicine chest.
Mark Twain
Image
the more I know about people, the better I like my dogs.
Mark Twain
Image
It's my opinion that every one I know has morals, though I wouldn't like to ask. I know I have. But I'd rather teach them than practice them any day. Give them to others-that's my motto.
Mark Twain
Image
It consists mainly of the storm of thoughts that is forever blowing through one's head.
Mark Twain
Image
If you take epitaphs seriously, we ought to bury the living and resurrect the dead.
Mark Twain
Image
You ought never to sass old people- unless they sass you first.
Mark Twain
Image
By trampling upon the helpless abroad with unchecked surveillance, Americans have learned, by a natural process, to endure with apathy the like at home.
Mark Twain