Monday, November 19, 2007

Twain

If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.
-- Mark Twain

Well, you still have to remember the truth, don't you.
eolake

TTL informs us:
Eolake, I think the meaning is clearer in this similar quote, also attributed to Mark Twain: "Always tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember what you said."

Ah, yes. This makes a lot more sense. Especially since Twain was an uncannily bright man, and is not likely to have said the sloppy first version.

10 comments:

Peter J. Crowley said...

What is this tell the truth you speak of? I live in the US of Walmart where the truth is illegal or not every spoken. Need a smiley here. enjoy pjc

Alex said...

There are towns which just flat out refuse Walmart. Trouble is, they will always go to the neighboring town taking the tax dollars with them. In the boonies that may be a great distance, here we have cities a mile or two wide and butted up to their neighbor.

Finally red Huckleberry Finn last year. Was a fun read, but full of words we cannot say anymore.

I believe it is the responsibility of the individual to be honest, but within the bounds of dignity.

I believe it is the role of government to make a few rich powerful men richer and more powerful, and that truth gets in the way of that role.

I wish there was something as powerful as government to look after us working stiffs.

Anonymous said...

Eolake, I think the meaning is clearer in this similar quote, also attributed to Mark Twain: "Always tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember what you said."

Mr. Crowley said: "I live in the US of Walmart where the truth is illegal or not every spoken."

The official truth (as communicated by the Ministry of Truth?) is never illegal. It is only your version of truth that gets you into trouble.

"There are few nudities so objectionable as the naked truth." --Agnes Repplier

Anonymous said...

Eolake, I think the meaning is clearer in this similar quote, also attributed to Mark Twain: "Always tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember what you said."

keeping track of the truth always prevails, as god's scriptures reveal, the truth will set you free. it always has and always will.

Anonymous said...

the truth is illegal or not every spoken.

we must live in two different countries.

Anonymous said...

It's easy to get misinformation on the internet. Case in point, I used to attribute the saying, "Had I more time I would have written less." to Mark Twain. But I have been told it isn't Mark's saying. Anyone know whose saying it is?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Reading Mark Twain always makes me go a big rubbery one.

Anonymous said...

TTL likes to suck giant elephant cock.
--Shania Twain

Anonymous said...

Come to think of it, thinking of MYSELF always makes me go a big rubbery one.
I'm just constantly horny. And thinking of pretty much anything has the same effect, really.

But those "words we cannot say anymore"? Twice so! :)))