Remembering a Great American

Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) died of a heart attack one-hundred years ago today, at his home in Redding, Connecticut. As he traveled around the growing country of America he left behind a wide range of comments on his observations of life in America. I usually choose to study people who succeed in business and have great insight to share that I can find useful, however, that is not the case with Mark Twain. Twain was not a successful businessman. In fact, after emerging from bankruptcy in 1901, Twain advised, "To succeed in business, avoid my example." Maybe this is where that famous observation started: “Everyone serves as an example, some as an example of what to do, some as an example of what not to do.” Mark Twain was however, a witty and shrewd moralist and critic of human nature and life in that rapidly growing country he lived in, America. All during his life Twain spent much time quietly observing people and things around him so that when he did speak (or write) it was relevant and listened to by the people of his time. Twain provided much insight on Self-Improvement, Management, Encouragement, Courage, Vision, Success, Execution, Ethics, and Communication, all qualities we need every day in business and for a successful life for that matter.
A century after he wrote his last words, Twain still remains relevant. I wonder what I could learn from a man like this?