1906, Part 2
1906.23.855) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: This singular game, which is so costly and so ruinous and so silly, is called statesmanship--which is different from assmanship on account of the spelling. Anybody but a statesman could invent some way to reduce these vast armaments to rational and sensible and safe police proportions, with the result that thenceforth all Christians could sleep in their beds unafraid, and even the Savior could come down and walk on the seas, foreigner as He is, without dread of being chased by Christian battleships.
Scripture: But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. -- Matthew 14:24-27
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of June 22, 1906
Source: http://www.twainquotes.com/Statesmanship.html
1906.24.856) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: Let us now consider the real God, the genuine God, the great God, the sublime and supreme God, the authentic Creator of the real universe, whose remotenesses are visited by comets only--comets unto which incredible distant Neptune is merely an outpost, a Sandy Hook to homeward-bound specters of the deeps of space that have not glimpsed it before for generations--a universe not made with hands and suited to an astronomical nursery, but spread abroad through the illimitable reaches of space by the fiat of the real God just mentioned; that God of unthinkable grandeur and majesty, by comparison with whom all the other gods whose myriads infest the feeble imaginations of men are as a swarm of gnats scattered and lost in the infinitudes of the empty sky.
Scripture: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. -- John 1:3
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of June 23, 1906
Source: http://philosophiesofmen.blogspot.com/2012/01/mark-twain-and-god-almighty.html
1906.25.857-859) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: When we examine the myriad wonders and glories and charms and perfections of this infinite universe (as we know the universe now), and perceive that there is not a detail of it--from the blade of grass to the giant trees of California, nor from the obscure mountain rivulet to the measureless ocean; nor from the ebb and flow of the tides to the stately motions of the planets--that is not the slave of a system of exact and inflexible law we seem to know--not suppose nor conjecture, but know--that the God that brought this stupendous fabric into being with a flash of thought and framed its laws with another flash of thought, is endowed with limitless power. We seem to know that whatever thing He wishes to do, he can do that thing without anybody’s assistance.
Scripture: Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these [things], that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that [he is] strong in power; not one faileth. -- Isaiah 40:26
Scripture: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. -- John 1:3
Scripture: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. -- Psalms 19:1
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of June 23, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.26.860) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: Mr. Rogers gave a part of his time, daily, during several weeks, to the straightening out of my Paige entanglements; he gave many weeks of his time to the arranging of an agreement between the American Publishing Company and the Harpers whereby I got the use of my Harper books in a completed set to be issued by the former Company; he had the Webster matter on his hands for five years; three years ago he labored at another contract between the two publishing firms and myself during a good many weeks, and at last got it accomplished and signed--a contract which released me from slavery to two masters and left me in the happier condition of servant to only one--the Harper Corporation. Any one who has served two masters in this world will understand the almost inestimable value of this modification.
Scripture: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. -- Matthew 6:24
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of August 7, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.27.861) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: He thinks we must stick to the facts, when we use them, and not profane them; whereas by the privileges of our order we are independent of facts; we care nothing for them, in a really religious way. If in their integrity they will not work into our scheme with the kind of effect which we wish to produce, we re-arrange them to meet the requirements of the occasion. When we are hot with the fires of production we would even distort the facts of the multiplication-table, let alone the facts of Genesis. We have no inflamed respect for facts. We could keep our head and be calm in their presence even if one in thirty-five of them was true. Even if I had known the unimportant fact that it was not Eve who named the animals, I should have coldly ignored it, in the interest of art. I should have altered the fact to suit my fiction. If I had felt it best to turn the whole fable of creation inside out I would have done it without compunction.
Scripture: And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. -- Genesis 2:19,20
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of August 10, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.28.862) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: Mrs. Horr was a New England lady of middle age, with New England ways and principles, and she always opened school with prayer and a chapter from the New Testament; also she explained the chapter with a brief talk. In one of these talks, she dwelt upon the text “Ask and ye shall receive,” and said that whosoever prayed for a thing with earnestness and strong desire need not doubt that his prayer would be answered. I was so forcibly struck by this information, and so gratified by the opportunities which it offered, that this was probably the first time I had heard of it. I thought I would give it a trial. I believed in Mrs. Horr thoroughly, and I had no doubts as to the result. I prayed for gingerbread. Margaret Kooneman, who was the baker’s daughter, brought a slab of gingerbread to school every morning; she had always kept it out of sight before, but when I finished my prayer and glanced up, there it was in easy reach, and she was looking the other way. In all my life I believe I never enjoyed an answer to prayer more than I enjoyed that one; and I was a convert, too. I had no end of wants and they had always remained unsatisfied, up to that time, but I meant to supply them, and extend them, now that I had found out how to do it.
Scripture: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. -- Matthew 7:7,8
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of August 15, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.29.863,864) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: I asked him if he remembered me, and he said, “Certainly, it is only twenty-seven years since I saw you last.”
At that time I was beginning to realize that I was old, and I said I hoped that he was either older than I or that he would at least strain a point and say he was, because it had been so long since I had come across any one whose years exceeded mine that I was getting depressed, and needed comfort. He said, “Well, examine your English history and decide. When I was nine years old I was crossing London Bridge when I heard the tolling bells announce the death of William IV.”
I said, “I am grateful. You have renewed my youth, and if there is anything you desire, even to the half of my kingdom, name it. I have been the oldest man in the earth for months; I am glad to take second place for a while.”
Scripture: Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. -- Esther 5:3
Scripture: And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. -- Mark 6:23
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of September 7, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.30.865) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: These markings are just the same on both cats—so exactly the same that when you call one the other is likely to answer, because they cannot tell each other apart. Since the cats are precisely alike, and can’t be told apart by any of us, they do not need two names, so they have but one between them. We call both of them Sackcloth, and we call the gray one Ashes.
Scripture: When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; -- Esther 4:1
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of October 8, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.31.866) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: Everybody recognized the invocation set forth by the symbols: it was the Lord’s Prayer.
It had taken him forty-five minutes to set it down. Then he stepped to the other blackboard and dashed off “Our Father which art in heaven,” and the rest of it, in graceful Italian script, spelling the words the best he knew how in those days, and finished it up in four minutes and a half.
It was rather impressive.
Scripture: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. -- Matthew 6:9-13
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of November 7, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.32.867) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: ...that the Emperor kept personal watch upon everything and that no official sparrow could fall to the ground without his privity and consent;
Scripture: Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. -- Matthew 10:29-31
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of December 6, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.33.868) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: The end is not yet.
Scripture: And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. -- Matthew 24:6
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of December 13, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.34.869) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: This general and close approach to perfection ought to have roused suspicion, perhaps, but I do not remember that it did. It is my impression that the people admired phrenology and believed in it, and that the voice of the doubter was not heard in the land.
Scripture: The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; -- Song of Solomon 2:12
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of December 26, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.35.870) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: I like the bill, and I like that proposed extension from the present limit of copyright-life of forty-two years to the author’s life and fifty years after. I think that will satisfy any reasonable author, because it will take care of his children. Let the grandchildren take care of themselves. “Sufficient unto the day.” That would satisfy me very well.
Scripture: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. -- Matthew 6:34
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of December 26, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.36.871) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: I am aware that copyright must have a term, must have a limit, because that is required by the Constitution of the United States, which sets aside the earlier constitution, which we call the Decalogue. The Decalogue says that you shall not take away from any man his property. I do not like to use the harsher Scriptural phrase, “Thou shalt not steal.” But the laws of England and American do take away property from the owner.
Scripture: Thou shalt not steal. -- Exodus 20:15
Work; Date: Autobiographical Dictation of December 26, 1906
Source: Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 2
1906.10.872) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: What Is Man? [title of essay]
Scripture: What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? -- Psalm 8:4
Work; Date: What Is Man?; 1906
Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/70/70-h/70-h.htm
1906.11.873) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: His temperament and training will decide what he shall do, and he will do it; he cannot help himself, he has no authority over the matter. Wasn’t it right for David to go out and slay Goliath?
Scripture: And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. -- 1 Samuel 17:49; 1906
Work; Date: What Is Man?
Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/70/70-h/70-h.htm
1906.37.874) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: Adam ... Neither he nor Eve was able to originate the idea that it was immodest to go naked;
Scripture: And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. -- Genesis 3:7
Work; Date: What Is Man?; 1906
Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/70/70-h/70-h.htm
1906.38.875) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: Let us imagine that the kings are a procession, and that they have come out of the Ark and down Ararat for exercise and are now starting back again up the zigzag road.
Scripture: And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. -- Genesis 8:4
Work; Date: What Is Man?; 1906
Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/70/70-h/70-h.htm
1906.39.876,877) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: Satan, Claimant;
Scripture: And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: -- Genesis 3:4
Scripture: And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. -- Matthew 4:9
Work; Date: What Is Man?; 1906
Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/70/70-h/70-h.htm
1906.40.878) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: the Golden Calf, Claimant;
Scripture: And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. ... And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. -- Exodus 32:1-4, 21-24
Work; Date: What Is Man?; 1906
Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/70/70-h/70-h.htm
1906.41.879) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: I was anxious to be praised for turning my thoughts to serious subjects when there wasn’t another boy in the village who could be hired to do such a thing. I was greatly interested in the incident of Eve and the serpent, and thought Eve’s calmness was perfectly noble. I asked Mr. Barclay if he had ever heard of another woman who, being approached by a serpent, would not excuse herself and break for the nearest timber.
Scripture: Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: -- Genesis 3:1-4
Work; Date: What Is Man?; 1906
Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/70/70-h/70-h.htm
1906.42.880-882) Quote, Reference, or Allusion: It was “conjectured”—though not established—that Satan was originally an angel in Heaven; that he fell; that he rebelled, and brought on a war; that he was defeated, and banished to perdition. Also, “we have reason to believe” that later he did so and so; that “we are warranted in supposing” that at a subsequent time he traveled extensively, seeking whom he might devour;
Scripture: Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. -- Job 2:1
Scripture: And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. -- Revelation 12:9
Scripture: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: -- 1 Peter 5:8
Work; Date: What Is Man?; 1906
Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/70/70-h/70-h.htm