More Mark Twainisms is this week’s Mystery Question. I have found these fascinating. On another note, I’m glad to be back in one piece from my trip to my daughter’s in Florida. Right now I’m in the airport waiting to board my flight home.
But first the photo and verse. I didn’t take the photo, my daughter’s friend did, but I thought it was beautiful! I’ll post another one later that my granddaughter took. I thought the verse went very well with it. It’s what I kept remembering when tornadoes were bouncing all over the place Tuesday night before Hurricane Ian hit the Florida coast the next day. A tornado even came over our house, making it shudder before it touched down across the road. We were very blessed. The power didn’t even go off…at least not yet. We did end up not having power for a few hours both that night and the next. But it was back on in time for coffee!
Now, last week’s Mystery Question. Mark Twain often made up witty quotes, but there are quotes attributed to him that he didn’t originate. Below are four quotes, three from Mark Twain, and one that is often attributed to him wrongly. Can you guess which one it is (without checking Google)?
- Total abstinence is so excellent a thing that it cannot be carried to too great an extent. In my passion for it I even carry it so far as to totally abstain from total abstinence itself.
- When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.
- When red headed people are above a certain social grade their hair is auburn.
- Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.
And the one that Mark Twain did NOT make up was…#2. The first known appearance of this word is in 1915, five years after Mark Twain died, and since his father died when Twain was 11, it is doubtful he ever said this…Congrats to all who got it right.
Now for More Mark Twainisms. ONLY ONE of these is a Twain quote. Three have been attributed to Twain, but he didn’t originate it. Can you guess which one he actually said?
- The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.
- It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
- If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.
- I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.
Okay, Super Sleuths which one did Twain actually originate? Leave your answers in the comments and I’ll enter you in an October drawing for a book from my library.
The winner of September’s drawing is…Paula Shreckhise
Morre Mark Twainisms -- this week's Mystery Question. A little different this time--Only one of the answers is a true Twainism. Leave your answer in the comments and I'll enter you in an October drawing for a book from my library. Click To TweetThank you for visiting my blog!
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Comments 52
I say #3.
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We’ll see, Mary. Glad you stopped by.
I say #2
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We’ll see…sure do miss y’all!
Welcome home! That’s a great photo and verse…especially with the tornado looming overhead! Better a house shaking than a house blowing away! Glad you all were safe.
Once again, these are difficult. I like all of them. Going with #1
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We’ll see, Barbara. Thanks for the prayers!
I love that picture and verse. They go together so well.
I’ve got to be quick because my wife and I are on a road trip and want to get started up the interstate for Rochester, NY shortly. From there, we will go east across New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and then into Maine for three or four days. We hope to see some gorgeous fall foliage. I’m choosing #2. I think Abraham Lincoln said that one.
Edward, I made a similar trip back in 1975 or 1976 about this time of year. I lived in Alexandria, VA at the time, and the fall colors were fantastic in the New England states then. I loved Shenandoah National Park for the same reason.
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Hi Edward! Enjoy your trip thru New England! It sounds like fun!! We’ll see next week if it’s #2.
I was in too much of a hurry this morning and did not read the information carefully. I selected the one I didn’t think Twain originated. Please change mine to #1.
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I will, Edward! We’ll see if that is a wise choice next week…
I’m thankful you and your family made it through Ian and all he brought to the good people of Florida. My relatives scattered about the state and especially those just outside of Fort Myers were able to get us word that they were safe and sound. Many Answered Prayers. Your photo and verse are both beautiful and fitting.
I believe Mr. Twain said #4, but #3 is a favorite quote often used by ‘Judge Judy’!!!
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I’m so glad your family was safe, Debra! It was a scary storm for sure. We’ll see if it’s #4 next week and I can hear Judge Judy saying #3 in my head. lol
The tornado sounds scary! Glad you all are okay. I think Twain actually said number 3 because it sounds like something kinda quirky he’d say.
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Hi Vera! It was over too fast to get scared…that came afterward. 🙂 And we’ll see next week if it’s #3.
I think he said #4 and it’s so true!
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I love all of these sayings, Delores! And we’ll see next week if it’s #4.
that is an absolutely beautiful photo! and one of my favorite verses that reminds me Jesus that He provides us the Best peace. Thank you. Very grateful that you and your family made it safely through Ian’s fury. Maybe an idea for a future book? I’m going to go with #2 this time!
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Thank you, Laurie! I’m sure a hurricane and tornado will show up in a book someday. lol We’ll see next week if it’s #2.
Ahh, I read it wrong. Only one is from Mark Twain. Changing the vote to # 2
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We’ll see, Barbara…
I’m going with #2. It’s a pretty popular quote. The scripture is so relevant in today’s world and how crazy it is!
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Thanks, Gail! and we’ll see next week if it’s #2.
Pat I’m so glad you were safe with your family in Florida during the storm. The photo your daughter’s friend took is really good. And the Scripture you choose gives us confidence in the troubled times we all face, even hurricanes.
Well, I know who made two of those quotes, so which was the real Twain quote?? I will say Twain actually said #1. I just sounds like his humor. Sort of like a certain John Denver song about a Saturday night in a certain city. And that’s all I’ll say about that. 🙂
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Hi Tim! I love your logic…we’ll see next week! Thanks for stopping by and the hurricane was really wierd. We got hardly any wind or rain except for the night the tornado came!
Love the photo and verse, and I’m glad you made it through your Florida trip with no ill effects.
I’ll go with #1. They all sound like Twain to me.
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Hi Kay! Thank you! It was a wonderful trip!! We’ll see if it’s #1 next week.
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And I see I forgot to pick a September winner! it’s Paula Schreckhise!
I think #3 was actually said by Mark Twain. Glad you are home safely.
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Linda! Thank you, Linda! We’ll see next week if it’s #3.
he said #2
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We’ll see Shelia!
4
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We’ll see, BN!
So glad you’re back home safe and sound. You certainly don’t take boring trips!
I’m going to guess #2 because I think it sounds like something Ben Franklin would write in Poor Richard’s Almanac. Guess we’ll see!
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Hi, L! No, I don’t take boring trips. We’ll see if you guessed correctly next week!
#2 sounds familiar so I’ll go with that one 🙂
What a beautiful picture & equally beautiful scripture! What a great reminder that in Christ we’ll always have peace. One of my favorite verses.
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Thank you, Trixi! We’ll see next week if it’s #2.
Welcome home Pat! I’m glad you had a good visit despite the weather. I’ll guess #2. I am familiar with this saying but do not know its origin.
Absolutely gorgeous photo and the verse is very fitting. I truly love the photos and verses you post!
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It’s good to be home, but I miss my family! We’ll see next week if it’s #2.
I am guessing #1 as I have not a clue. Great scripture and verse. Glad you were not affected too much by the storm.
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Thanks, Gloria! We’ll see next week if it’s #1.
Gorgeous photo! Love the scripture, Pat!
#3
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Thanks, Caryl! We’ll see next week if it’s #3.
#4 Beautiful photo and I needed that scripture this evening. Blessings
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I’m glad the verse helped, Lucy! It’s such a comforting verse.
I think #3 is the Twain quote.
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Hi, Megan! We’ll see next week if it’s #3.
I like #2.
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Well see, Paula!
#2
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We’ll see tomorrow, Lisa!