Beggar Quote by Mark Twain
““The coat of arms of the human race ought to consist of a man with an axe on his shoulder proceeding toward a grindstone. Or, it ought to represent the several members of the human race holding out the hat to each other. For we are all beggars. Each in his own way. One beggar is too proud to beg for pennies but will beg a loan of dollars, knowing he can’t repay; another will not beg a loan but will beg for a postmastership; another will not do that but will beg for an introduction to “society”; one, being rich, will not beg a hod of coal of the railway company but will beg a pass; his neighbor will not beg coal, nor pass, but in social converse with a lawyer will place before him a supposititious case in the hope of getting an opinion out of him for nothing; one who would disdain to beg for any of these things will beg frankly for the presidency. None of the lot is ashamed of himself, but he despises the rest of the mendicants. Each admires his own dignity, and carefully guards it, but in his opinion the others haven’t any.””
About This Quote
The quote satirically shows how every person, regardless of status, seeks something from others, often disguising need as entitlement while judging those who ask differently.
In simple terms: Everyone, no matter how proud, asks for something and judges others for doing the same.
Key Takeaway
Recognize your own needs and stop judging others for theirs.
Themes
humility
social dynamics
pride
need
judgment
Mood
reflective
ironic
critical
Type
satirical
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- political ambition
- career advancement
- social networking
- financial aid
- seeking favors
Key Concepts
entitlement
social comparison
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you truly need but claim as entitlement?
- How do you judge others’ requests?
A Different Perspective
Even the most powerful can be beggars in disguise, making humility hard to practice.
