What marriage is to morality, a properly conducted licensed liquor traffic is
to sobriety.
- Mark Twain's Notebook, 1895
I know better than to get tight oftener than once in 3 months. It sets a man
back in the esteem of people whose opinions are worth having.
- Letter to Will Bowen, 8/25/1866
The man is probably dead drunk but that doesn't lessen your heart ache.
- quoted in Isabel Lyon's Journal, 1/15/1906
Never refuse to do a kindness unless the act would work great injury to yourself,
and never refuse to take a drink-- under any circumstances.
- Mark Twain's Notebook
Evidence...proves that prohibition only drives drunkenness behind doors and
into dark places, and does not cure it or even diminish it.
- Letter to San Francisco Alta California,
7/28/1867
Of the demonstrably wise there are but two: those who commit suicide, &
those who keep their reasoning faculties atrophied with drink.
- Notebook #42, 1898
I love a drink, but I never encouraged drunkenness by harping on its alleged
funny side.
- quoted in Abroad with Mark Twain and Eugene Field, Fisher
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