Simply put, swearing is good, sex is good, gambling is good, many so-called vices are good, when practiced in moderation.
Mark Twain quotes on profanity:
The idea that no gentleman ever swears is all wrong. He can swear and still be a gentleman if he does it in a nice and benevolent and affectionate way.
- Private and Public Morals speech, 1906
When angry count four; when very angry, swear.
- Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
There ought to be a room in every house to swear in. It's dangerous to have to repress an emotion like that.
- Mark Twain, a Biography
Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.
- Mark Twain, a Biography
...quadrilateral, astronomical, incandescent son-of-a-bitch.
- Letter to William Dean Howells, 13 February 1903
When you're mad, count four; when you're very mad, swear! But most of us don't wait to count four! at least I don't!
- quoted in A Lifetime with Mark Twain: The Memories of Katy Leary
When it comes down to pure ornamental cursing, the native American is gifted above the sons of men.
- Roughing It
Let us swear while we may, for in Heaven it will not be allowed.
- Notebook, 1898
He began with that word "H". That's a long word and a profane word. I don't remember what the word was now, but I recognized the power of it. I had never used that language myself, but at that moment I was converted. It has been a great refuge for me in time of trouble. If a man doesn't know that language he can't express himself on strenuous occasions. When you have that word at your command let trouble come.
- Speech, 19 February 1908
My swearing doesn't mean any more to me than your sermons do to you.
- comment made to Rev. Joe Twichell, quoted in Mark Twain and Hawaii, by Walter Francis Frear
GL
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