AdmiralAkbar1 t1_j9ks2kk wrote on February 22, 2023 at 6:24 PM

Reply to comment by jwgriffiths in TIL Mark Twain is often wrongly credited with the quote: "I would have written a shorter letter, but did not have the time." Earliest credit goes to French mathematician and philospher Blaise Pascal in “Lettres Provinciales,” 1657. by jeremyjava

It doesn't seem like he said it at all. Mark Twain, much like Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, and Albert Einstein, has the fascinating ability to become associated with any pithy quote ever said in the English language.

BillTowne t1_j9lbqyl wrote on February 22, 2023 at 8:24 PM

The quote "I've been rich and I've been poor. And, believe me, rich is better" has been ascribed to almost every well-known black woman blues or jazz singer from before the 60s.

electronp t1_j9ofd8e wrote on February 23, 2023 at 12:55 PM

Seneca

ninjas_in_my_pants t1_j9msiq8 wrote on February 23, 2023 at 2:20 AM

Mark Twain was actually three kids in a trench coat.