Arrogance Quote by Mark Twain
““The gentle reader will never, never know what a consummate ass he can become until he goes abroad. I speak now, of course, in the supposition that the gentle reader has not been abroad, and therefore is not already a consummate ass. If the case be otherwise, I beg his pardon and extend to him the cordial hand of fellowship and call him brother. I shall always delight to meet an ass after my own heart when I have finished my travels.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain, 1869
He humorously suggests that traveling reveals one’s own foolishness, and that those who have traveled may become even more foolish.
In simple terms: Travel shows how silly we can be, and may even increase it.
Key Takeaway
Travel with humility and self‑awareness.
Themes
humor
travel
self‑reflection
Mood
playful
thoughtful
Type
satirical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal travel planning
- study abroad programs
- travel blogs
Key Concepts
human folly
cultural satire
Questions to Reflect On
- How does travel challenge personal assumptions?
- Can humor soften cultural misunderstandings?
A Different Perspective
Some may view travel as inherently enriching, not exposing folly.
![“Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this [step by step, from humans to apes to monkeys to lemurs] - leading us insensibly from the crown and summit of the animal creation down to creatures, from which there is but a step, as it seems, to the…” quote by Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0b/thomas-huxley-1183_animal_perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us_3051.jpg)
