“The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted.”

El matador de almas no mata cien almas; mata una alma sola, cien veces.
Voces (1943)

heart
Parva Naturalia 467b.13–16
Parts of Animals

Though race related issues continue to occupy a significant portion of our political discussion, and though there remain many unresolved racial issues in this nation, we, average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race. It is an issue we have never been at ease with and given our nation’s history this is in some ways understandable. And yet, if we are to make progress in this area we must feel comfortable enough with one another, and tolerant enough of each other, to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us.
February 18, 2009.
Remarks at the Department of Justice African American History Month Program. http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speeches/2009/ag-speech-090218.html
2000s

An American Prayer (1978)

A Discourse of Matters Pertaining to Religion (1842).

"Consistency" (5 December 1887). This quote is engraved on Twain's bust in the National Hall of Fame

Source: Red Glove

Book I : The Beginnings, Ch. V : The Baptism Of The Penguins
Penguin Island (1908)
Context: Touched by their attention, the holy man taught them the Gospel.
"Inhabitants of this island, the earthly day that has just risen over your rocks is the image of the heavenly day that rises in your souls. For I bring you the inner light; I bring you the light and heat of the soul. Just as the sun melts the ice of your mountains so Jesus Christ will melt the ice of your hearts."
Thus the old man spoke. As everywhere throughout nature voice calls to voice, as all which breathes in the light of day loves alternate strains, these penguins answered the old man by the sounds of their throats. And their voices were soft, for it was the season of their loves.

1850s, Latter-Day Pamphlets (1850), The Present Time (February 1, 1850)