Mark Twain's Advice to Youth

Introduction

• Intended to give advice that is didactic, instructive, and suitable for youth.
• Emphasizes the importance of early life teachings as they are more enduring and valuable.

Key Pieces of Advice

Obedience to Parents

• Always obey parents when they are present.
  • Humor the belief that they know better.

Respect and Violence

• Be respectful to superiors and strangers.
• Avoid violence and retaliation.
  • If offended by someone, hit them with a brick, but only if the offense was intentional.
• Acknowledge mistakes frankly if it turns out there was no offense.

Daily Habits

• Go to bed early, get up early.
  • Suggests getting up with a lark for a good reputation.

Honesty and Lying

• Be careful with lying; avoid getting caught.
  • Once caught, reputation is damaged permanently.
• Exercise temperance in lying until mastery is achieved.
• Patience, diligence, and attention to detail are necessary for mastering lying.
• History shows that a well-told lie is often immortal.
• Cites an example of anesthesia's false attribution as a lie outlasting truth.

Handling Firearms

• Never handle firearms carelessly.
  • Story of a boy threatening his grandmother with an unloaded gun to illustrate potential danger.
  • Even supposed "unloaded" firearms can be deadly.

Reading and Books

• Read good books exclusively.
  • Recommends Robertson’s Sermons, Baxter’s Saint’s Rest, The Innocents Abroad.

Conclusion

• Hopes that the youth will treasure the guidance.
• Emphasizes thoughtful character building based on these precepts.