Mark Twain and Negotiation

" Always Do Right." Mark Twain

As mentioned in earlier posts, I have been staying in the Hartford area, home to Mark Twain for many years. I see his quotes and name everywhere, not only at the Mark Twain Home and Museum, but Twain's quotess are on the wall at the Blue Back Square Mall, the new mall in West Hartford next to City Hall and the statue of Noah Webster, who was also born in West Hartford, and Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is playing at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut.

As I read and reread these quotes, I see how many are relevant to negotiations and mediation. Here are a few:

1." If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."
Notebook 1894

2. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
Note to the Young People's Society 1901

3. When in doubt, tell the truth."
Following the Equator, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar

4. Honor is a harder master than the law."
Speech 1895

5."There is nothing in the world like persuasive speech to fuddle the mental apparatus."
The Man that Corrupted Hadleyberg

Mark Twain is even more relevant today. I think I am going to go back and reread some of those classics. I am sure I missed some wisdom the first time around.



Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com