Quote of the day by Mark Twain: “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).”

Mark Twain was a distinguished American novelist, essayist, journalist and literary critic.

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect.”

Explanation: In the quote, the author is implying a herd mentality, a tendency of the mind to conform to popular opinion on something without having to think for themselves.

In today’s context, it could be to stand by an opinion which is most comfortable for the majority of people to accept but not necessarily aligning with a person’s own set of beliefs.

The author is encouraging people to always question one’s thoughts and beliefs and to understand where they are coming from.

Sometimes a person’s thoughts are not their own, they are passed on by family, social forces or borrowed stereotypes. A person might choose to believe in them to avoid conflict or displease people.

The author is saying it is important for people to always be sure if their stance on something is coming from their own logic and not from a desire to fit in.

About the author: Mark Twain (born 1835, Missouri) was a distinguished American novelist, essayist, journalist and literary critic. Having lost his father early in life, Twain was forced to start as a typesetter for local newspapers.

Spending his childhood along the Mississippi, Twain had opportunities for exploration and adventure.

Twain got his pilot’s license in 1859 and spent much time moving up and down the river. A large part of his life was marked by movement and travel. His explorations and adventures during this period served as chronicles for some of his most celebrated work such as The Innocents Abroad (1869), Roughing It (1872) and Life on Mississippi (1883).

Among his most celebrated novels were The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885).

As a distinctive humourist and moralist, he also became a distinguished public figure.