Mark Twain offered this characteristically witty advice in a 1901 note to the Young People’s Society in Brooklyn. With his trademark blend of humor and wisdom, he makes integrity sound both practical and rebellious. Known for skewering hypocrisy and championing moral independence, Twain spent his life questioning authority and confronting injustice, from condemning slavery and imperialism to his personal struggles with financial ruin and public opinion. In this quote, he distills the power of doing the right thing into a single, memorable line, suggesting virtue isn’t just noble — it’s disruptive in a world driven by self-interest. This is a reminder that morality, when sincerely practiced, can be both quietly gratifying and unexpectedly revolutionary.
