Funny Quotes
There are many humorous things in the world; among them, the white man’s notion that he is less savage than the other savages.
"There are many humorous things in the world; among them, the white man’s notion that he is less savage than the other savages."— Mark Twain
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Meaning of this quote
Twain exposes the double standard by which colonial societies call others uncivilized while excusing their own violence. The historical language is satirical and should not be adopted as a neutral description.
Key takeaway:
Apply the same moral standards to your own society as to others.
Origin of the quote
Following the Equator (1897), recorded in the specialist Twain quotation collection.
Who actually said this?
VerifiedThe source identifies Twain's travel book. His use of the period's racial language attacks a claim of superiority rather than endorsing it.
