--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Within two minutes, or even less, he had…" description: "\"“Within two minutes, or even less, he had forgotten all his troubles. Not because his troubles were one whitless heavy and bitter to him than a man's a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/mark-twain-22_novelty-whistling_within-two-minutes-or-even-less-he-had-f_2200692.png" --- # Within two minutes, or even less, he had forgotten all his… ![“Within two minutes, or even less, he had forgotten all his troubles. Not because his troubles were one whitless heavy and bitter to him than a man's are to a man, but because a new and powerful interest bore them down and drove them out of his mind for the time-just as a man's misfortunes are…” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/mark-twain-22_novelty-whistling_within-two-minutes-or-even-less-he-had-f_2200692.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/mark-twain-22_novelty-whistling_within-two-minutes-or-even-less-he-had-f_2200692.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/mark-twain-22_novelty-whistling_within-two-minutes-or-even-less-he-had-f_2200692.png) > ““Within two minutes, or even less, he had forgotten all his troubles. Not because his troubles were one whitless heavy and bitter to him than a man's are to a man, but because a new and powerful interest bore them down and drove them out of his mind for the time-just as a man's misfortunes are forgotten in the excitement of new enterprises. This new interest was a valued novelty in whistling...He felt much as an astronomer feels who has discovered a new planet- no doubt, as far as strong, deep, unalloyed pleasure is concerned, the advantage was with the boy, not the astronomer.”” [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. A new, engaging activity can quickly erase worries, offering intense pleasure similar to a scientific discovery. **In simple terms:** New interests distract from problems. Key Takeaway Seek fresh, absorbing pursuits. Themes distraction pleasure focus novelty mindset Mood relieved enthusiastic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - boredom - stress - creative projects - learning new skills - sports Key Concepts psychology flow attention cognitive relief Questions to Reflect On - What activity can you turn to when stressed? - How long does the distraction last? A Different Perspective The relief is temporary; underlying issues remain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astronomer Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomer-feels-4832161/) [Boy Astronomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boy-astronomer-4832163/) [Felt Astronomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt-astronomer-4832162/) [Novelty Whistling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelty-whistling-2199832/) [Whistling Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whistling-felt-4832164/) ## Related quotes > [“Diligence and attention soon gave him the knack of it, and he strode down the street with his mouth full of harmony and his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/diligence-and-attention-soon-gave-him-the-knack-of-it-and-he-strode/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“Within two minutes, or even less, he had forgotten all his troubles. 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Behind him stretched the illimitable continent of heaven, steeped in a glory of light and color; before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-creator-sat-upon-the-throne-thinking-behind-him-stretched-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [It's easy to quit smoking. I've done it hundreds of times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-s-easy-to-quit-smoking-i-ve-done-it-hundreds-of-times/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“It is never wrong to do the right thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-is-never-wrong-to-do-the-right-thing/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A man accustomed to American food and American domestic cookery would not starve to death suddenly in Europe, but I think he would gradually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-man-accustomed-to-american-food-and-american-domestic-cookery-would/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [There is nothing training can't cannot do. Nothing is above its reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/there-is-nothing-training-can-t-cannot-do-nothing-is-above-its-reach/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I never write Metropolis for seven cents because I can get the same price for city. I never write policeman because I can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-never-write-metropolis-for-seven-cents-because-i-can-get-the-same/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [The higher animals get their teeth without pain or inconvenience. Man gets his through months and months of cruel torture; he will never get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-higher-animals-get-their-teeth-without-pain-or-inconvenience-man/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“As far as I can see, Italy, for fifteen hundred years, has turned all her energies, all her finances, and all her industry to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/as-far-as-i-can-see-italy-for-fifteen-hundred-years-has-turned-all/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Begin with the determination to succeed and the work is half done already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/begin-with-the-determination-to-succeed-and-the-work-is-half-done/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Many public-school children seem to know only two dates—1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don't know what happened on either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/many-public-school-children-seem-to-know-only-two-dates-1492-and-4th/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [If we could imagine such a man, that is a man who could invent the fly and send him out on his mission and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-we-could-imagine-such-a-man-that-is-a-man-who-could-invent-the-fly/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [You perceive, now, that these things are all impossible except in a dream. 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