It is by the goodness of God
â
It is by the goodness of God that in our country ,
we have those three unspeakably precious things,
freedom of conscience,
and the prudence never to practice either of them.
â
Meaning
This quote uses irony to suggest that freedom exists partly because people wisely avoid using it too fully. It is satire about liberty and restraint.
About Author
Mark Twain
Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, was an American author and humorist known for classics like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. His quotes often reflect wit, social critique, and human insight. Twain inspires writers, readers, and social thinkers to explore human nature, challenge conventions, and communicate ideas with humor and intelligence.
Related Quotes
â I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don't go out with Halley's Comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: 'Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.' â
This quote playfully imagines the speaker\'s life as linked to Halley\'s Comet from entrance to exit. It turns mortality into cosmic humor.
â I can live for two months on a good compliment. â
This quote exaggerates the power of praise to show how deeply people hunger for appreciation. Compliments can sustain the spirit.
â Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel. â
This quote means it is unwise to fight those who control public opinion through the press. Words in powerful hands can be dangerous.