The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

‘A Tramp Abroad’ (1880) ch. 8
An experienced, industrious, ambitious, and quite often picturesque liar.
‘Private History of a Campaign that Failed’ in ‘Century Magazine’ December 1885
The report of my death was an exaggeration.
‘New York Journal’ 2 June 1897 (often misquoted as ‘Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated’).
Twain was correcting newspaper reports to the effect that he was ill or dead, and confusing him with his
cousin, James Ross Clemens, who had in fact been seriously ill in London.
He [Thomas Carlyle] said it in a moment of excitement, when chasing Americans out of his
backyard with brickbats. They used to go there and worship. At bottom he was probably fond of
them, but he was always able to conceal it.
‘Mark Twain’s Christmas Book’ in ‘New York World’ 10 December 1899
All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
Letter to Mrs Foote, 2 December 1887, in B. DeCasseres ‘When Huck Finn Went Highbrow’ (1934) p. 7
8.82 Kenneth Tynan 1927-80
Forty years ago he was Slightly in Peter Pan, and you might say that he has been wholly in
Peter Pan ever since.
Referring to Noel Coward in ‘Curtains’ (1961) pt. 1, p. 59
What, when drunk, one sees in other women, one sees in Garbo sober.
‘Curtains’ (1961) pt. 2, p. 347
A good drama critic is one who perceives what is happening in the theatre of his time. A great
drama critic also perceives what is not happening.
‘Tynan Right and Left’ (1967) foreword
A critic is a man who knows the way but can’t drive the car.
In ‘New York Times Magazine’ 9 January 1966, p. 27
9.0 U
9.1 Domitius Ulpian d. 228
Nulla iniuria est, quae in volentem fiat.
No injustice is done to someone who wants that thing done.
Corpus Iuris Civilis Digests 47, X.i.5 (usually cited in the form Volenti non fit iniuria: To someone who
wants it no injustice occurs)
9.2 Miguel de Unamuno 1864-1937
La vida es duda,
y la fe sin la duda es sólo muerte.
Life is doubt,
And faith without doubt is nothing but death.