Skip to content
quotesby

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

  • conflict
  • competition
  • personal rivalries

Putting it to work

  • cultivate empathy
  • reflect on reactions

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

  1. It was wonderful to find America, but it would have been more wonderful to miss it.

    Permalink to quote #175
  2. 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
  3. 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

Related quotes

  1. What good men most biologists are, the tenors of the scientific world-temperamental, moody, lecherous, loud-laughing, and healthy. Your true biologist will sin…

    John SteinbeckJohn Steinbeck quote #3
  2. The ugliest of trades have their moments of pleasure. Now, if I were a grave-digger, or even a hangman, there are some people I could work for with a great dea…

    Douglas William JerroldDouglas William Jerrold quote #8
  3. Here's another question I have. How come when it's us, it's an abortion, and when it's a chicken, it's an omelet? Are we so much better than chickens all of a …

    George CarlinGeorge Carlin quote #16