“Life does not consist mainly – or even largely – of facts and happenings. It consists mainly of the storm of thoughts that is forever blowing through one’s head”
-Mark Twain
Still waters run deep. The life of the mind is life itself.
“The humorist who invented trial by jury played a colossal practical joke upon the world, but since we have the system we ought to try and respect it. A thing which is not thoroughly easy to do, when we reflect that by command of the law a criminal juror must be an intellectual vacuum, attached to a melting heart and perfectly macaronian bowels of compassion.”
-Mark Twain, New York Tribune, March 1873
That it must be some enormous practical joke is never more obvious than for the juror, sitting amongst eleven strangers – suddenly compatriots in judgement – charged with directing how a blindfolded Lady Justice is to play her hand. It gives reason to doubt that justice is even possible.
But it is in the deliberation room where the inadequacy of trial by jury really sinks in. Just as it also dawns that it is best means of justice yet devised – no matter how flawed.
“The thug is aware that loudness convinces sixty persons where reasoning convinces but one.”
-Mark Twain
But those sixty people are convinced of an argument upon which there is no basis in reason – the thug makes a fool of his followers and a mockery of rational thought.
“Pessimist: the optimist who didn’t arrive”
-Mark Twain
Just showing up requires a level of optimism that the true pessimist is unwilling to give.
“Human pride is not worth while; there is always something lying in wait to take the wind out of it”
-Mark Twain, Following the Equator
Pride is a tricky thing. It can be a fine thing, too, like pride for work, family, community, and the accomplishments of others.
But pride only for the sake of itself, without humility, is sure to be humiliated. Best to carry the humility with you from the start.
“I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one”
-Mark Twain
The difference between a million dollar idea and the worthless boasts of a crank is like the difference between a great joke and a terrible one -timing.
“It is a talent by itself to pay compliments gracefully and have them ring true. It is an art in itself.”
– Mark Twain, speech, “The Lost Lotos Club”
You da’ man… No you da’ man…
“Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge.”
-Mark Twain
The better the education, the more you know what you don’t know – unless you’re too stupid. Then you know everything.
“Death, the refuge, the solace, the best and kindliest and most prized friend and benefactor of the erring, the forsaken, the old, and weary, and broken of heart, whose burdens be heavy upon them, and who would lie down and be at rest.”
-Mark Twain
Lying down in peace, knowing that the burdens of this life have been fulfilled, the wrongs committed released, the injuries suffered healed. To finally, at last, rest with an unburdened soul.
That is perhaps the best we can hope for.
“The weakest of all weak things is a virtue that has not been tested in the fire.”
-Mark Twain
It’s one thing to act virtuously and not know any better, quite another to remain so when aware of the options.