Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A true patriot is often isolated at first but gains support once the cause succeeds.
In this quote, Mark Twain highlights the initial challenges faced by those who strive for change, specifically patriots who are willing to advocate for their beliefs despite fear, scorn, and isolation. He observes that once the cause gains traction and success, the cowardly majority who once hesitated eagerly join in, demonstrating how people often conform to popular opinion when the risks are minimized.
Themes
ChangePatriotismCourageSupportSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech promoting social activism.
More from Mark Twain
All quotes →The easy part of being an artist is figuring out the message that everyone else is ready to hear. The hard part is waiting for the proper lull to make the announcement.
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You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns.
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To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
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Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
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In Paris they just simply opened their eyes and stared when we spoke to them in French! We never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.
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