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The proverb says, "Born lucky, always lucky," and I am very superstitious. As a small boy I was notoriously lucky. It was usual for one or two of our lads (per annum) to get drowned in the Mississippi or in Bear Creek, but I was pulled out in a 2/3 drowned condition 9 times before I learned to swim, and was considered to be a cat in disguise.
Mark Twain
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects Mark Twain's humorous view on luck and superstition, stemming from his own experiences with survival.

In this quote, Mark Twain narrates a humorous anecdote about his childhood luck, emphasizing how he narrowly escaped drowning multiple times, which contributed to his belief in being 'lucky'. The juxtaposition of his superstitious belief and the extreme circumstances he faced illustrates a lighthearted take on the concept of luck and fate, as he likens himself to a cat, suggesting an uncanny ability to survive against the odds.

Themes

LuckSuperstitionHumorChildhoodSurvival

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used during a casual conversation about childhood adventures and the concept of luck.

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