ON: FAITH

OSCAR WILDE Observes:

FAITH is the means by which we affirm as true that which we suspect may be false.  

MARK TWAIN Remarks:

So Faith is doubt?  Perhaps all virtues could be so constructed as to be pregnant with similar self-destruction.  

    

ON: MOTHERLY LOVE

OSCAR WILDE Observes:

According to tradition, "a boy's best friend is his mother."  I agree, as he can borrow money from her when he can from no other.  And she may well not sue if it is not repaid.                       

MARK TWAIN Remarks:

I am most offended by Mr. Wilde equating motherly love with money.  This is utterly not true... until the amount reaches approximately $5,000.  It does vary a bit depending upon the particular mother.     

ON: CRITICISM

OSCAR WILDE Observes:

To criticize a particular literary work is to praise literature in the abstract.                       

MARK TWAIN Remarks:

A critic is a man who would object that the hangman's rope was not long enough to convey its occupant safely to the ground.   

ON: POLITICANS

OSCAR WILDE Observes:

There is nothing so ridiculous and harmful to the nation that an elected POLITICIAN has not already proposed it... in fact, several times, and recently.                      

MARK TWAIN Remarks:

There is no politician so ridiculous and harmful to the nation that he can not find an electorate that he will properly serve.    

ON: FORGIVENESS

OSCAR WILDE Observes:

FORGIVENESS is what we bestow when we no longer want what we think we are owed.                      

MARK TWAIN Remarks:

Usually it occurs when we forget what the issue is... if I remember correctly.