QuoteProject
We were good boys, good Presbyterian boys, and loyal and all that; anyway, we were good Presbyterian boys when the weather was doubtful; when it was fair, we did wander a little from the fold.
Mark Twain
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the duality of human nature, suggesting that true loyalty is tested during difficult times.

Mark Twain's quote humorously highlights the tendency of people to adhere to their principles and moral values only when it is convenient or easy, indicating that during challenging circumstances, one's character is truly tested. It suggests that while individuals may identify with their 'good' traits, they may stray from their values when faced with temptation or hardship, inviting reflection on the authenticity of one's loyalty and beliefs.

Themes

LoyaltyValuesHuman NaturePrinciplesTemptation

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about morality in difficult times.

More from Mark Twain

Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
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

My teacher said once that every man faces seven enemies in his lifetime. Sickness, hunger, betrayal, envy, greed, old age, and then death.
Osamu TezukaRead
Heaven doesn't make this life less important; it makes it more important.
Billy GrahamRead
Alas, where is there still a sea in which one could drown: thus our lament resounds – across shallow swamps.
Friedrich NietzscheRead
The darkness which clings to every personality is the door into the unconscious and the gateway of dreams, from which those two twilight figures, the shadow and the anima, step into our nightly visions or, remaining invisible, take possession of our ego-consciousness.
Carl JungRead
There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words. To this chiefly it is owing that we find sects and parties in most branches of science [and politics]; and disputes that are carried on from age to age, without being brought to issue.
Thomas ReidRead
When mind controls man, it’s ... Bhoga (bondage). But when man controls mind, it’s...Yoga
Sri Sri Ravi ShankarRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.