quote of Mark Twain?

[weirdo]

"I am sorry to write such a long letter. I didn't have time to write a short one."

What does it mean?

Thanks

[squarebear]

The joke lies in the fact that although he didn't have time, he still wrote a long letter.

Humour tends to disappear if you analyse it too much.

[monkeyeyes]

It's an ironic statement.........and a humourous one.

Just think, how long did it take to write a long letter ? He could have written several short letters in that time.............

[dundurn]

It's also sometimes the plain truth. If someone asks you to write something clearly and gives you no limit to how many words you use you may well find that it's a great deal easier than if they tell you you can only use a limited number of words.

Mr Twain, however, was just having fun - along the lines of "I would have sent you some money with this letter, but I'd already sealed the envelope".

[beatlegal2]

very twain.he famouse for this sort of irony