Mark Twain

My first American ancestor, gentlemen, was an Indian-an early Indian. Your ancestors skinned him alive, and I am an orphan. All those Salem witches were ancestors of mine. Your people made it tropical for them. . . . The first slave brought into New England out of Africa was an ancestor of mine-for I am a mixed breed, an infinitely shaded and exquisite Mongrel.

Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. (The conviction of the rich that the poor are happier is no more foolish than the conviction of the poor that the rich are.)

The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.

Every generalization is dangerous, especially this one.

Next to possessing genius one's self is the power of appreciating it in others.

There is nothing more frustrating than a good example.

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.

It takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.

To be good is noble, but to teach others how to be good is nobler - and less trouble.

He was such a good man that people hated to see him coming.