Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
Suddenly the nickel-clad horse takes the bit in its mouth and goes slanting for the curbstone defying all prayers and all your powers to change its mind - your heart stands still, your breath hangs fire, your legs forget to work.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote illustrates the inevitability of certain events in life, where one must accept what is beyond control.
In this quote, Mark Twain vividly describes a moment of helplessness when faced with a situation that spirals out of control. The imagery of a horse taking the bit and careening towards danger symbolizes life's unpredictable and often uncontrollable nature. When we are confronted with such moments, all our efforts to intervene seem futile, leaving us in a state of paralysis as we witness events unfold. This speaks to the broader human experience of confronting situations where, despite our desires and intentions, we remain powerless to alter the course of fate.
Themes
ControlLifeInevitabilityHelplessnessFate
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech addressing resilience in the face of adversity.
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.
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
And that's a life, isn't it? Some achievements and some disappointments. It's been interesting to me, though I wouldn't complain or be amazed if others found it less so. Maybe, in a way, Adrian knew what he was doing. Not that I would have missed my own life for anything, you understand. [pp.60-61]
Julian BarnesRead
Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone. Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him. He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance. Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that. He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.
Maya AngelouRead
The heart may freeze, or it can burn. The pain will ease and I can learn. There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as, my last.
Jonathan LarsonRead
From morn To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,- A summer's day; and with the setting sun Dropp'd from the Zenith like a falling star.
John MiltonRead
I have so much empathy for these young actors that are 19 and all of a sudden they're beautiful and famous and rich. I'm like, 'Oh my God, I'd be dead.'
Philip Seymour HoffmanRead
He trudged along unknowing what he sought, And whistled as he went, for want of thought.
John DrydenRead