Age - An Issue of Mind Over Matter and other Twainisms

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. How often have you seen this witticism on a poster or refrigerator magnet? But did you know that the author of these 'oh so true' words was the legendary Mark Twain? 

Twain - a newspaper reporter, riverboat pilot, printer, and author - had a great deal to say. Here are just a few Twainisms:

1. Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.  
2. Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.
3. Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn’t any. But this wrongs the jackass.
4. Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in. 
5. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand. 
6. There are three kinds of people--Commonplace Men, Remarkable Men, and Lunatics.
7. Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.
8. Patriot: the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.
9. It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.
10. The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.

Want more Twain? Mark Twain (aka Kurt Sutton) is performing tomorrow (Nov. 11) at the Holley Theater, 7 p.m., in downtown Dahlonega.