MARK TWAIN’S SPEECHES

by Mark Twain

PREFACE

FROM THE PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION OF

"MARK TWAIN'S SKETCHES."

If I were to sell the reader a barrel of molasses, and he, instead

of sweetening his substantial dinner with the same at judicious

intervals, should eat the entire barrel at one sitting, and then abuse

me for making him sick, I would say that he deserved to be made sick

for not knowing any better how to utilize the blessings this world

affords. And if I sell to the reader this volume of nonsense, and

he, instead of seasoning his graver reading with a chapter of it now

and then, when his mind demands such relaxation, unwisely overdoses

himself with several chapters of it at a single sitting, he will

deserve to be nauseated, and he will have nobody to blame but

himself if he is. There is no more sin in publishing an entire

volume of nonsense than there is in keeping a candy-store with no

hardware in it. It lies wholly with the customer whether he will

injure himself by means of either, or will derive from them the

benefits which they will afford him if he uses their possibilities

judiciously.

Respectfully submitted,

THE AUTHOR.