--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But it was ever thus, all through my…" description: "\"But it was ever thus, all through my life: whenever I have diverged from custom and principle and uttered a truth, the rule has been that the hearer ha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/mark-twain-22_believe_but-it-was-ever-thus-all-through-my-life_2546784.png" --- # But it was ever thus, all through my life: whenever I have… ![“But it was ever thus, all through my life: whenever I have diverged from custom and principle and uttered a truth, the rule has been that the hearer hadn't strength of mind enough to believe it.” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/mark-twain-22_believe_but-it-was-ever-thus-all-through-my-life_2546784.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/mark-twain-22_believe_but-it-was-ever-thus-all-through-my-life_2546784.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/mark-twain-22_believe_but-it-was-ever-thus-all-through-my-life_2546784.png) > “But it was ever thus, all through my life: whenever I have diverged from custom and principle and uttered a truth, the rule has been that the hearer hadn't strength of mind enough to believe it.” [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When truth challenges prevailing norms, listeners often reject it due to lack of mental fortitude. **In simple terms:** People resist uncomfortable truths. Key Takeaway Speak truth even when unpopular. Themes truth conformity courage communication society Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - debates - journalism - education - personal relationships Key Concepts psychology social pressure intellectual honesty Questions to Reflect On - Why do we cling to familiar ideas? - How can we foster open mindedness? A Different Perspective Some truths may be dismissed for valid reasons. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Customs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customs/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Strength of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength-of-mind/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [We have learned Trump's disregard for the truth, and the rule of law is real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/we-have-learned-trump-s-disregard-for-the-truth-and-the-rule-of-law/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [“Once again, it seemed, I was discovering the truth of the rule, a rule I'd never explicitly formulated to myself, but whose veracity I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-philippe-toussaint/once-again-it-seemed-i-was-discovering-the-truth-of-the-rule-a-rule-i/) [Jean-Philippe Toussaint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-philippe-toussaint/) > [“I am not here to answer your questions. 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