Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A true patriot is often isolated at first but gains support once the cause succeeds.
In this quote, Mark Twain highlights the initial challenges faced by those who strive for change, specifically patriots who are willing to advocate for their beliefs despite fear, scorn, and isolation. He observes that once the cause gains traction and success, the cowardly majority who once hesitated eagerly join in, demonstrating how people often conform to popular opinion when the risks are minimized.
Themes
ChangePatriotismCourageSupportSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech promoting social activism.
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
The trouble is that nonviolence is so often defined as refusal to fight, and that is the American definition of cowardice. In fact, marching unarmed against the guns and dogs of the police requires more courage than does aggression. The perverted idea of manhood coming from the barrel of a gun is what keeps people from understanding nonviolence.
Jesse JacksonRead
We are Craiglockhart's success stories. Look at us. We don't remember, we don't feel, we don't think - at least beyond the confines of what's needed to do the job. By any proper civilized standard (but what does that mean now?) we are objects of horror. But our nerves are completely steady. And we are still alive.
Pat BarkerRead
But every time the workers come out in the only way they know to protest against conditions which are unbearable the strong hand of the law is allowed to press down heavily upon us.
Rose SchneidermanRead
Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves; its your responsibility
Lady GagaRead
A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
Theirs is not to make reply: Theirs is not to reason why: Theirs is but to do and die.
Alfred Lord TennysonRead