Who said “Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I…”?

Verified

Mark Twain. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceDraft manuscript (c.1881), quoted by Albert Bigelow Paine in Mark Twain: A Biography (1912), p. 724

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“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
— Mark Twain
VerifiedDraft manuscript (c.1881), quoted by Albert Bigelow Paine in Mark Twain: A Biography (1912), p. 724 · evidenceCongress

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Draft manuscript (c.1881), quoted by Albert Bigelow Paine in Mark Twain: A Biography (1912), p. 724.

APA

Twain, M. (n.d.). Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/11140-reader-suppose-you-were-an-idiot-and-suppose/

MLA

Twain, Mark. “Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/11140-reader-suppose-you-were-an-idiot-and-suppose/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Twain, Mark. “Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/11140-reader-suppose-you-were-an-idiot-and-suppose/.

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More quotes by Mark Twain

“Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.”
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