“Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.”
I didn't know he wrote poems. Here's one I found at this link.
His advice and a "Poem to Margaret".
This is his daughter.
"Be good, be good, be always good,
And now and then be clever,
But don't you ever be too good,
Nor ever be too clever;
For such as be too awful good
They awful lonely are,
And such as often clever be
Get cut and stung and trodden by persons of lesser mental capacity,
For this kind do by a law of their construction regard exhibitions of
Superior intellectuality as an offensive impertinence leveled at
Their lack of this high gift, and are prompt to resent such-like
Exhibitions in the manner above indicated - and are they justifiable?
Alas, alas they"
and he continues...
"(It is not best to go on; I think the line is already longer than it ought to be for real true poetry.)"
I found more here and the above poem is in public domain.
![](https://www.yourdailypoem.com/i/Mark_Twain.jpg)
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain (1835-1910), was an American novelist and humorist. Born in Missouri, he suffered ill health as a child and lost his father at the age of 12. A year later, to help keep his family fed, Samuel left school to become a printer's apprentice. He eventually went to work at his brother's newspaper and discovered that he enjoyed, and had a gift, for writing. At 21, Samuel embarked on a career as a steamboat pilot, but the Civil War forced him to head west and, after an unsuccessful attempt at a prospecting career, he went to work as a newspaper reporter and soon carved out a reputation as one of the most entertaining storytellers - in print and in person - around. In the course of his life, Samuel wrote 28 books and innumerable letters, essays and short stories, and is considered one of America's greatest literary icons.
Not one I knew - or like particularly. You are right those lines are just tooooo long.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue :) it is very interesting to read everyone’s comments on this.
DeleteI did not know he wrote poetry either. This one is very clever, and also very right!
ReplyDeleteIt surprised me to find this poem, thanks Ginny :)
DeleteI like the poem to his daughter, but the remainder lines are too long as you said..
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Thank you Margaret, you too :)
DeleteI love this whole autography about him. I used to struggle reading his novel in high school
ReplyDeleteIt has been a long time since I read any of his works. This has me wanting to pick up one of his books. Thanks Roentare :)
DeleteI love the way he digresses in his poem, cocking a snook at the would-be academics.
ReplyDeleteA good description Janice :)
DeleteI have not heard of this poem, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a great day and a wonderful week!
You are very welcome :) thank you Eileen, you too!
DeleteI'm no poet but that is a seriously long line at the end there. I had no idea he wrote poetry.
ReplyDeleteSame here :) Thanks Ann!
Delete"Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" was his masterpiece. I first read it when I was eleven years old. The chapter "You Can't Pray A Lie" had such an effect on me. I remember thinking, "How can someone write like this?". Perhaps his poetry seems outdated to us but for me, his "Huckleberry" book deserves all our praise.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay, I am going to have to read that book again :)
DeleteA wise man...love the poem!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie, so glad :)
DeleteThat one is new to me as well!
ReplyDeleteTo many of us I think. Thanks Jeanie :)
DeleteThis line is about to be unleashed on America in all its fury: “Get cut and stung and trodden by persons of lesser mental capacity.” Voted by the people. Empowered to wreak havoc and destroy.
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be a very long four years. Hosea 8:7: "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind". I will also be reading Orwell’s Animal Farm again. Thanks David :)
DeleteHello Denise :)
ReplyDeleteMark Twain immediately brings to mind The Adventures of huckleberry Finn, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the only two books I have read . I didn't know he wrote poetry either but the first four lines say it all, and he was right.
I'm sorry I have been absent from your blog, I just have not had time to blog because of doctors and hospital visits. Yesterday I had 14 stitches in a back surgery. that is how it has been for a couple of weeks. Nothing serious but time consuming.
All the best
Sonjia.
It is always a happy day for me to hear from you Sonjia. I am very sorry to learn of your back surgery and wish you speedy healing my dear friend :) Life must always take precedence. Blogging can wait. Yes, those first four lines and others, are prophetic. Thank you Sonjia, and you will be very much in my thoughts.
DeleteTwain is one of my favorite authors, thanks Denise.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, I am happy you enjoyed :)
DeleteSeveral years ago when we visited the Mississippi River I couldn't help but think of his Tom Sawyer and the adventure he had. Have a great week. Sincerely, Leslie
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie, thank you and welcome :) You were in the right setting to think of Tom Sawyer. You have a great week too and I send you my sincere thanks for visiting.
DeleteI have bad habit of writing really long lines, but not in poetry. I write like I talked, long with words and very little punctuation. I read what the English teacher made me read and retained nothing but his name. ha ha.... bring on Zane Gray ha ha, yes I know he is not a poet
ReplyDeleteSmiling here as always my friend :) I am the same way. My Uncle Peter had a wonderful selection of western books. I remember borrowing quite a few of his Zane Grays :)
DeleteIndeed an American treasure....such a creative mind that helped so many with his stories and poetry
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
Most definitely Cecilia :) and totally agree. Sending hugs!
DeleteA wise man was Twain.
ReplyDeleteVery much so, thanks Christine :)
DeleteI didn't know that Twain wrote poetry. I certainly read some of his novels and the teacher read Tom sawyer to us at school.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember anything of Twain's books being read to us at our school. Different country. Thanks Red!
DeleteI knew he wrote poetry, but I never cared for his style...
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
I have never read any of his poetry and enjoyed what I read, but I do prefer other poems. Thanks Donna, I hope you and Larry are feeling better - sending hugs.
DeleteI hadn't read any poem by Twain before, either, but thought the growing extra-long lines may be his kind of humor as a kind of jab at literary poetry. His humorous perspective was fantastic. So many good quotes by Twain. I've only actually read Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, though. Enjoyed them both. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent summary Rita, thanks for sharing that. I need to read those books again :)
DeleteI didn't know that Twain wrote poetry, so thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Me neither Jan and you are very welcome :) all the best to you too.
DeleteMe gusto el poema Twain. te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteMe alegra mucho que hayas disfrutado el poema. ¡Muchas gracias! te mando un beso :)
DeleteThis was a lot of fun to read. I also did not know he did poetry. I'm sure his daughter, Margaret took it to heart.
ReplyDeleteI am happy you found it so Kay. It would have been fun to find what she thought of her Dad. Well, I hope :)
DeleteI didn't know he wrote poetry. I liked the first part which has some wise words for his daughter but it did digress at the end or further on if that is not the end of the poem. Too long and complicated my brain fell off the edge with that last line :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's very well put Beverley. I love that, thank you :)
DeleteTwain understood so much.
ReplyDeleteI have a book of his short stories on the coffee table nearby right now that I'm reading again.
I agree with you, and that sounds like a great place to put his work, within easy reach :)
Delete