I've never killed a man, but I've read many an obituary with a great deal of satisfaction.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Twain expresses dark humor about taking satisfaction in others' deaths without direct responsibility.
- In plain terms
- He admits enjoying news of others dying without harming them personally.
- What can you take from it?
- Be cautious of schadenfreude and passive harm.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you react to others' misfortunes?
Another view
The tone is ironic and may not reflect genuine intent.
More from Mark Twain
It was wonderful to find America, but it would have been more wonderful to miss it.
Permalink to quote #175 Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
Permalink to quote #177 It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
Permalink to quote #174
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