Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
The signs of excessive indulgence in this destructive pastime are easily detectable. They are these: A disposition to eat, to drink, to smoke, to meet together convivially, to laugh, to joke, and tell indelicate stories— and mainly, a yearning to paint pictures.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Excessive indulgence in vices leads to easily observable behaviors and yearnings.
Mark Twain highlights the dangers of excessive indulgence in various forms of pleasure, suggesting that they manifest in recognizable behaviors such as revelry, laughter, and even a desire for artistic expression. This observation serves as a caution against overindulgence and promotes a more balanced approach to enjoyment.
Themes
IndulgenceLaughterPleasureArtBehavior
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a discussion on the importance of moderation at a dinner party.
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.
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To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
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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.
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