--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [I] shall never use profanity except in…" description: "\"[I] shall never use profanity except in discussing house rent and taxes. Indeed, upon second thought, I will not use it then, for it is unchristian, in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/mark-twain-22_cents_i-shall-never-use-profanity-except-in-di_2142983.png" --- # \[I\] shall never use profanity except in discussing house… ![“[I] shall never use profanity except in discussing house rent and taxes. Indeed, upon second thought, I will not use it then, for it is unchristian, inelegant, and degrading--though to speak truly I do not see how house rent and taxes are going to be discussed worth a cent without it.” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/mark-twain-22_cents_i-shall-never-use-profanity-except-in-di_2142983.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/mark-twain-22_cents_i-shall-never-use-profanity-except-in-di_2142983.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/mark-twain-22_cents_i-shall-never-use-profanity-except-in-di_2142983.png) > “\[I\] shall never use profanity except in discussing house rent and taxes. Indeed, upon second thought, I will not use it then, for it is unchristian, inelegant, and degrading--though to speak truly I do not see how house rent and taxes are going to be discussed worth a cent without 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. The speaker vows to avoid profanity except when discussing mundane topics, but then doubts its necessity even then. **In simple terms:** Avoid profanity even in trivial matters. Key Takeaway Choose respectful language always. Themes ethics language selfcontrol Mood reflective serious Type moral philosophical When to use this quote - daily conversations - public speaking - writing - debates Key Concepts moral philosophy social decorum Questions to Reflect On - When is profanity truly necessary? - How does language choice affect perception? A Different Perspective Avoiding profanity may limit honest expression in some contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Profanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profanity/) [Second thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-thoughts/) [Swearing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swearing/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) [Unchristian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unchristian/) ## Related quotes > [I shall never use profanity except in discussing house rent and taxes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-shall-never-use-profanity-except-in-discussing-house-rent-and-taxes/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Of all the unchristian beverages that ever passed my lips, Turkish coffee is the worst. The cup is small, it is smeared with grounds;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/of-all-the-unchristian-beverages-that-ever-passed-my-lips-turkish/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“It is, as you know, very, very rude and usually unnecessary to use profanity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemony-snicket/it-is-as-you-know-very-very-rude-and-usually-unnecessary-to-use/) [Lemony Snicket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemony-snicket/) > [“Why use profanity in real life and writing? Because sometimes 'darn it' just doesn't cut it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-patricks/why-use-profanity-in-real-life-and-writing-because-sometimes-darn-it/) [Jacqueline Patricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-patricks/) > [In all my content I don't really swear or use profanity, because I believe comedy can just be pure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dapaah/in-all-my-content-i-don-t-really-swear-or-use-profanity-because-i/) [Michael Dapaah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dapaah/) > [We don't believe that you have to broadcast and use profanity. It shows a lack of a vocabulary really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-clay-weaver/we-don-t-believe-that-you-have-to-broadcast-and-use-profanity-it/) Harry Clay Weaver > [“the use of profanity for effect to be a practice of the weak-minded”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fallis/the-use-of-profanity-for-effect-to-be-a-practice-of-the-weak-minded/) [Terry Fallis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fallis/) > [I do not use profanity in my novels. 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