Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
I don't speak German well but several experts have assured me that I write it like an angel. Maybe so, maybe so- I don't know. I've not yet made any acquaintances among the angels. That comes later, whenever it please the Deity. I'm not in any hurry.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Mark Twain humorously reflects on his writing skills in German, likening them to angelic prose despite not speaking the language well.
In this quote, Mark Twain uses humor to express his lack of proficiency in German while simultaneously hinting at the quality of his written work. He acknowledges the opinions of experts who praise his writing, comparing it to that of angels, yet he remains modest and self-deprecating about his abilities, suggesting that he has not yet attained the level of acquaintance with true excellence. Twain's light-hearted approach to his limitations and his indifference to immediate recognition or success illustrates a broader theme of accepting one's journey at a comfortable pace.
Themes
WritingHumorLanguageModestyExpertise
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about embracing one's limitations while pursuing personal growth.
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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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