“I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week sometimes to make it up.”
- November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910
- American
- Author, humorist, and lecturer
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and had a major influence on American literature
Quote
“I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week sometimes to make it up.”
Explanation
Mark Twain’s quote humorously exaggerates his own thinking process, suggesting that his mind is so large or complex that it takes him days—sometimes an entire week—to come to a conclusion or make up his mind. The humor lies in the self-deprecating nature of the statement, as Twain is mocking the idea that he is particularly slow or indecisive, when in reality, it’s an ironic compliment to his own mental capacity. By calling his mind “prodigious” (meaning enormous or impressive), Twain is both inflating and poking fun at his own intellectual process, implying that his great mind requires extra time to work through decisions, as if it’s a monumental task to arrive at clarity.
The underlying humor in the quote also plays with the idea of overthinking—that someone who has a great mind might spend excessive time making up their mind, when simpler or more immediate thinkers might have already acted. Twain is exaggerating the contrast between slow reflection and quick decision-making, poking fun at the idea that sometimes, having too much time or thought can be a hindrance rather than an asset.
In modern contexts, this quote is relatable to anyone who has experienced indecision, overthinking, or the challenge of making decisions in an environment of complex choices. Whether in business, relationships, or personal growth, we can all recognize the humor in the difficulty of making decisions and the paradox of having a lot of mental resources yet still struggling to make up one’s mind. Twain’s words encourage us to acknowledge the absurdity of overthinking and recognize that sometimes decisions don’t need to be as complicated as they seem.
