Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
An injurious truth has no merit over an injurious lie. Neither should ever be uttered. The man who speaks an injurious truth, lest his soul be not saved if he do otherwise, should reflect that that sort of a soul is not strictly worth saving.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that both hurtful truths and lies are equally damaging and should be avoided.
Mark Twain emphasizes the importance of our words, arguing that even if a truth can cause injury, it holds no more value than a falsehood that does the same. He contemplates on the moral implications of speaking hurtful truths, proposing that a person who chooses to do so needs to reflect on the quality of their own character.
Themes
TruthLieSpeechMoralityInjury
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on ethics, one might reference this quote to emphasize the importance of speaking kindly.
More from Mark Twain
All quotes βThe 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.
Mark TwainRead
You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns.
Mark TwainRead
To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
Mark TwainRead
Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
Mark TwainRead
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.
Mark TwainRead
Similar quotes
Helping others is perhaps the greatest joy! You cannot have a perfect day without helping others with no thought of getting something in return.
John WoodenRead
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, and that craves wary walking.
William ShakespeareRead
An aging writer has the not insignificant satisfaction of a shelf of books behind him that, as they wait for their ideal readers to discover them, will outlast him for a while.
John UpdikeRead
Silence is a source of great strength.
Lao TzuRead
Don't worry about what you can't control. Our focus and energy needs to be on the things we CAN control. Attitude, effort, focus- these are the things we can control.
Tim TebowRead
As solid rock remains unmoved by the wind, so the wise remain unmoved by blame and praise.
Gautama BuddhaRead