Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.
Interpretation
Most of the troubles we worry about are imaginary and never materialize.
This quote from Mark Twain reflects on the tendency of humans to distress themselves with anxieties about future troubles that often do not come to pass. It suggests that much of our mental suffering is based on fears and concerns that are not grounded in reality, highlighting the importance of living in the present rather than being burdened by unfounded fears.
In practice
Using this quote in a motivational speech about overcoming anxiety.
Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
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.
You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns.
To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
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.
That was what her parents did not understand—and had never understood—about stories. Liza told herself storied as though she was weaving and knotting an endless rope. Then, no matter how dark or terrible the pit she found herself in, she could pull herself out, inch by inch and hand over hand, on the long rope of stories.
Error is not just acceptable, it is necessary for the continuation of life, provided it is not too great. A large error is a catastrophe, a small error is essential for enhancing existence. Without error, there is no movement. Death follows.
A vigorous temper is not altogether an evil. Men who are easy as an old shoe are generally of little worth.
The victories of character are instant, and victories for all.
Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.
Passion is a young man's game. Young people can be passionate. Older people gotta be more wise. I mean, you're around awhile, you leave certain things to the young. Don't try to act like you're young. You could really hurt yourself.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.