I have had an aversion to good spelling for sixty years and more, merely for the reason that when I was a boy there was not a thing I could do creditably except spell according to the book. It was a poor and mean distinction, and I early learned to disenjoy it. I suppose that this is because the ability to spell correctly is a talent, not an acquirement. There is some dignity about an acquirement, because it is a product of your own labor. It is wages earned, whereas to be able to do a thing merely by the grace of God, and not by your own effort, transfers the distinction to our heavenly home where possibly it is a matter of pride and satisfaction, but it leaves you naked and bankrupt.
More Quotes from Mark Twain:
Forget and forgive. This is not difficult when properly understood. It means forget inconvenient duties, then forgive yourself for forgetting. By rigid practice and stern determination, it comes easy.Mark Twain
His liberties were totally unrestricted, ... He was the only really independent person - boy or man - in the community, and by consequence he was tranquilly and continuously happy and envied by the rest of us.
Mark Twain
A habit cannot be tossed out the window it must be coaxed down the stairs a step at a time.
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In the first place, God made idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards.
Mark Twain
The report of my death was an exaggeration.
Mark Twain
Our best built certainties are but sand-houses and subject to damage from any wind of doubt that blows
Mark Twain
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Based on Topics: Abilities Quotes, Books Quotes, Dignity Quotes, Efforts Quotes, God Quotes, Labor Quotes, Mastery & Expertise Quotes, Pride Quotes, Product Quotes, Reasoning QuotesBased on Keywords: acquirement, aversion, spelling, transfers
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