Mark TwainMark Twain, [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835-1910) American author and humorist

Famous Mark Twain Quote

“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”

Mark TwainMark Twain
~ Mark Twain


Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

;-)

Waffler, Smith, Arkansas

These kind of statements are stupid and unproductive. We are Congress, if simply being there makes them idiots who were not idiots before they got there, then we all have the capacity to be idiots. John Edwards expressed the frustration of being a lawmaker the other night. As soon as you arrive you are wined ant dined ant set upon by a vast hord of lobbyists. Our nation is so great and the issues so complex it makes all of us feel like idiouts sometimes. Look at all of us now as we try to choose a new President. God Save the United States of America.

E Archer, NYC

It's a classic!

Jack E. Lohman, Colgate WI

Yeah, Mike, they call that freedom of speech. But most of us recognize it as corruption.

Joe, North Caldwell, NJ

I agree, it's a mistake to refer to Congresspeople as "idiots", because they're not. Dishonesty is different than stupidity, and calling the former the latter is a cop-out. By the way, this quote is often ascribed to Will Rogers, and I don't know who actually said it -- perhaps both, perhaps neither.

J Carlton
  • Reply
    J Carlton    1/8/08

    I don't think they're idiots, just corrupt and wasteful.

    warren, olathe

    Good humor. Take a look at Pelosi if you doubt that the joke has a glimmer of truth to it.

    Judith, Corrales

    They are idiots of the worse kind. They are ruining this country. They do not care if they pass laws that are not constitutional, even though they take an oath to uphold the constitution. Anyone who cannot do their job without hanging onto their scruples are the worse kinds of idiots. Mark Twain has a way of envisioning the uncomfortable reality with a bit of humor. Ron Paul is not an idiot, nor is Kuchinic, but the rest fit right in with Mark Twains quote which lightens up reality, to a small degree. God save America from idiots, and the press.

    warren, olathe

    Ron Paul and Kucinich are the best examples of congressional idiocy.

    Clay, Madison

    I suppose we are Congress, and that makes Congress idiots. Look who we keep putting in charge. We are responsible for who we elect, and we are paying a terrible price for our collective stupidity.

    @

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