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About this quote

What does it mean?
National misery is linked to national identity and environment.
In plain terms
France is unhappy because of its people, and its people are unhappy because of France.
What can you take from it?
Culture and place create mutual dissatisfaction.

Where it applies

  • national criticism
  • cultural commentary
  • travel reflection

Putting it to work

  • examine national character
  • analyze cultural critique

Questions to consider

  • Is national identity a source of pain?
  • Can a place make people unhappy?

Another view

It generalizes an entire population.

More from Mark Twain

  1. Every generalization is false, including this one.

    Permalink to quote #167

  2. I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying that I approved of it.

    Permalink to quote #169

  3. Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

    Permalink to quote #166

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